In the past, I have written about how an advanced medical directive ("AMD") allows an individual to lay out medical directions to caregivers, loved ones and medical personal. An AMD is important in detailing an individual's desires for medical care, particularly towards the end of their lives. A properly written AMD would lay out things such as recitation orders, detail with whom the decision making powers lay when they were incapacitated, and any other medical wishes they may hold. Over the last several years, an alternative document called the "Five Wishes" has emerged for those individuals wishing to give more life and body to their end of life requests. The Five Wishes document is valid in 42 states and D.C. Similar to your will and AMD, this document must be signed and witnessed, and it is important to inform people that you have such a document, to ensure that your wishes are followed.

The Five Wishes document was the brainchild of Jim Towey. Towey spent 12 years working with Mother Teresa and became inspired by her work to help patients find a better way to deal with end of life planning. The Five Wishes document is described as "the first living will that talks about your personal, emotional and spiritual needs as well as your medical wishes." Towey believes that the major difference between this document, as compared to traditional documents, is that it not only discusses a wider range of wishes, but also does so in a way that makes it easy for others to truly understand your needs.