Most of us are uncomfortable with thoughts of our own death or serious illness and so we put off decisions we ought to make when we're healthy, when we can spend time thinking about our values and preferences. Planning for Uncertainty tells you why it is important to think carefully about the final details of your life and to plan for the possibility that you won't be able to make your wishes known. As family physicians, the authors of Planning for Uncertainty have seen what happens when a person lacks any kind of advance directive for health care, becomes seriously ill or injured, and loses the capacity to express preferences and make decisions about health care. The result can be great anguish for families and needless suffering for patients.Planning for Uncertainty uses a question-and-answer format to explain what you need to know about advance directives the living will, the durable power of attorney, and the values history. All are intended to clearly document your preferences and decisions about life-sustaining health care, a practice strongly encouraged by the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990. The authors explain a broad range of medical choices, tell why and how to prepare advance directives, and explore ethical issues such as active euthanasia, assisted suicide, and passive euthanasia. Topics include• The types and purposes of advance directives for health care• The provisions of the Patient Self-Determination Act• Deciding when m