What are Advance Directives regarding health care?
Answer: Advance Directives consist of your written instructions regarding various facets of your health care. The most common are Health Care Representative and Living Will. Connecticut also allows you to designate in writing whether you wish to make anatomical gifts of your organs or body for transplant or research purposes when you die. You may authorize the cremation of your body upon your death, and you may also designate a custodian of your remains. Effective October 1, 2006, Connecticut replaced the health care power of attorney and health care agent with a “Health Care Representative.” A Health Care Representative is a person you designate who can be responsible for all health decision matters, including your wishes regarding life support. Health care powers of attorney and health care agents signed before October 1, 2006 are grandfathered in and remain valid.