Advance Directives

Health Care Alternatives - Home Health Care

An Advance Directive is a document in which a person states choices for medical treatment and/or designates a healthcare proxy to make treatment choices if the person should lose his/her decision making capabilities. One document can cover both situations.

A Living Will is a legal document that allows you to state, in advance, your wishes regarding the use of life-sustaining procedures should you have a terminal condition or be in a persistent vegetative state.

A Durable Power of Attorney is included in a written document, such as Advance Directives or a Living Will, assigning to another person the authority to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so.

A Medical Power of Attorney is included in a written document, such as Advance Directives or a Living Will, assigning to another person the right to make healthcare decisions only on your behalf should you become unable to do so (also called Healthcare Proxy).

Advance Directive forms are readily available from many sources, including a physician or your attorney. The document must be witnessed by two adults who are not related to you. A Durable Power of Attorney, stating your agent for decision making, must be notarized.

The document should be reviewed every few years and can be changed if you want. It can also be cancelled by telling two adult witnesses of this decision. All old copies must be destroyed.

Your family members, clergy and physician should be made aware of your Advance Directives, or the contents of your Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney. Hospitals and other health care providers, including home health agency representatives must also be made aware of your Advance Directives. Your designated agent should have the original copy of the document and copies should be made available to all health care providers.

You can also obtain more information from your attorney or, if you are over age 60, Legal Services for the Elderly by calling your local Area Agency On Aging or Elderly Services, found in the Government section of your white pages.

Check List

Date of my Advance Directives or Living Will ___________
My Advance Directives documents are located _______________________
My Durable Power of Attorney ________________________
Copies have been provided to ________________________

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