Advance Healthcare Directives

Why do I need an Advance Directive?

Medical technology has given us many new options for sustaining life. This makes it important for you to discuss what kind of care you want before serious illness or accident occurs.

Now is the time to talk about these important issues while you can still make your own decisions and have time to talk about them with others.

If you don’t have an Advance Directive and even one person interested in your care disagrees, your doctor may not honor your wishes for end-of-life care.

The Advance Directive takes the place of the former living will document and gives you more options. Review your existing forms to decide if an Advance Health Care Directive will better reflect your wishes.

What do I put in my Advance Directive?

THE KIND OF HEALTH TREATMENT YOU WANT OR DON’T WANT. 

You can say whether or not you want to be kept alive by machines that breathe for you or feed you even if there is no hope you will get better. Communicate with your primary care physician (PCP) when you have questions or concerns about your health.

YOUR WISHES FOR COMFORT CARE.

You can indicate whether you want medicine for pain or where you want to spend your last days. You can also give spiritual, ethical, and religious instructions.

THE PERSON OR “AGENT” YOU WANT TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR YOU WHEN YOU CANNOT.

This agent does not have to be an attorney. Unless you limit your agent’s authority, your agent has the right to accept or refuse any kind of medical care and testing, discharge or select doctors, and see all medical records.

How can I ensure my Advance Directive is honored?

Share copies and talk with people who will be involved in your care. Ask your doctor to insert your Advance Directive into your medical records. 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE 

(in accordance with the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act, 1999)