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Care management

Advance care planning

Advance care planning forms

Download a complete Power of Attorney for Health Care form with instructions in Adobe Acrobat format:

When you become ill, you have the right to say yes or no to treatment options. But what if you became unable to decide for yourself? Who would speak for you? And would they know what you want and don’t want? Take some steps now to make sure your wishes are known.

Where do you start?

One way to make your wishes known is to put them in writing through an Advance Directive. This is a legal paper that tells your choices about the health care you want or do not want. When you make an Advance Directive, you will think about issues like dying, life-saving measures, and quality of life.

Why do you need an Advance Directive?

An Advance Directive speaks for you when you are unable to do so. It serves as a guide for your health care team. It also relieves your family of the burden of trying to guess what you would want.

Who should have one?

Every adult 18 years of age or older should think about having an Advance Directive. It’s a good idea to fill one out while your health is good and you can think clearly about your options.

What happens if you do not have an Advance Directive?

If you cannot speak for yourself and have no Advance Directive, your health care provider will look to your family or close friends to help make decisions about your care. If they are unsure or do not agree about your care, they may ask the court to appoint a guardian who will make the decisions for you.

How do you make one?

An Advance Directive can be made free of cost. You can get help and any needed forms by calling your health care provider or a trained advanced care planning facilitator. A lawyer can also help you, but this is not required. There are two forms available:

  • A Living Will is a form that describes what type of care you would want—or not want—to prolong your life if you were near death or in a persistent vegetative state. It does not give anyone else the right to make health care decisions on your behalf. In some cases, when a health care agent is not named, the courts become involved in making the decisions.
  • A Power of Attorney for Health Care is a form in which you appoint another person as your “health care agent.” This person will work with your health care provider to make sure your wishes are carried out, if you are not able to do this yourself.

Do you need both a Living Will and a Power of Attorney?

You do not need both, but if you have both, make sure they agree with each other.

What if you make an Advance Directive and then want to make changes?

Advance Directives can be changed or revoked at any time. You can make changes by writing a new form, writing an addendum, or telling your health care provider. You can cancel by destroying the form and telling your health care provider.

What should you do with it once you have it?

Keep it in a safe place and let your family or others close to you know where they can find it if needed. If you travel, you may wish to take a copy with you. Give a copy to:

  • Your health care provider (you’ll want to discuss the form and make sure he or she agrees to honor your wishes)
  • Your health care agent (named in your Power of Attorney for Health Care)
  • Your family or others close to you
  • Your lawyer if you have one
  • The clinic or hospital where you go for care (for your medical record)

Need help or more information?

Ask your health care provider or call 888-863-5502 to find out how Aurora’s Advance Care Planning Program can help you. The program is designed to:

  • Provide a trained facilitator to talk with you about your health care wishes.
  • Help you put your choices in a legal Power of Attorney for Health Care document.
  • Make sure your Power of Attorney for Health Care is available when needed.

Aurora Health Care also holds advance care planning workshops where trained professionals provide information and assistance on the Power of Attorney for Health Care.

For further information on advance care:

 

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