Keep Your Plan Current

Creating your advance directive is the beginning of an ongoing process.

As your life changes, your healthcare decisions—or the person you've chosen as your healthcare agent—may change as well. Reviewing your advance directive from time to time helps ensure it continues to reflect your values, preferences, and the person you've chosen to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.

Keep Your Advance Directive Plan Current

When Should You Update Your Advance Directive?

Review your advance directive whenever you experience a significant life event, such as:

A marriage, divorce, or the loss of a spouse or loved one
A new diagnosis or a significant change in your health
Choosing a different healthcare agent
Moving to a new state
A change in your personal values, beliefs, or healthcare decisions

Even if nothing has changed, it's a good idea to review your advance directive every year to make sure it still reflects your decisions.

Keeping Your Information Current

As you review your advance directive, ask yourself:

Is my healthcare agent still the right person for this role?
Has my contact information changed?
Do my healthcare decisions still reflect what's most important to me?
Have I shared the most current version with my healthcare agent, loved ones, and healthcare providers?

If you make changes, remember to share your updated advance directive with the people who may need it.

Keeping Your Advance Directive Information Current

Helpful Tip

Set an annual calendar reminder to review your advance directive. Choose a date that's easy to remember, such as your birthday, New Year's Day, or National Healthcare Decisions Day (April 16). A quick annual review can give you peace of mind that your advance directive is current and still reflects your decisions.

Your Advance Directive Can Evolve With You

Life isn't static, and your advance directive doesn't have to be either.

Your MyDirectives account provides a secure place to review, update, and share your advance directive whenever your circumstances or decisions change. Keeping it current helps ensure the people caring for you have the most accurate guidance if they're ever called upon to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.