3 Steps to Completing an Advance Directive

Step 1: Reflect on your values, wishes, and preferences regarding end-of-life health care decisions in the event you cannot speak for yourself. Think of it as a road map for your future health care, a tool to help you think through and navigate your choices.

Step 2: Choose someone you trust to make medical decisions for you in the event that you are not able to make these decisions for yourself. You can choose a loved one, friend, or any person you trust to speak on your behalf. This person is commonly referred to as a Health Care Agent, but there are many other names you may hear that are also referring to this trusted person. Examples: Medical Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Health Care Surrogate, or Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.

In essence, this individual is your back up driver so when unexpected road blocks appear along your health care journey, your back up driver is able to choose a detour that is keeping your values, wishes, and choices.

Step 3: Complete your advance directive forms. You don’t need an attorney to complete these forms and these forms and more Advance Directives information is available in the links below. You can always change the forms to reflect your wishes, anytime you like. Be sure to share your Advance Directives with your health care agent, doctors, attorney, and loved ones.