Advance Directives tell your doctor, other healthcare professionals and your family what kind of care you want if you are unable to make your own decisions or make your wishes known, such as if you are in a coma. Even if you are young and healthy, you should still have Advance Directives.

It’s a good idea to give original signed documents for Advance Directives to members of your family that might need them. You might also want to give one to your family doctor. Keep another with your other important documents. We recommend that you bring your Advance Directives with you any time you come to the hospital for treatment.

Living Will
In your Advance Directives, you can spell out whether or not you want your life prolonged by artificial means and in what way. Some people refer to this Advance Directive as a “living will.”

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
You may also name someone to make treatment decisions – to accept or refuse medical care for you – if at some point you cannot make those decisions yourself. This type of Advance Directive is often called a “durable power of attorney for healthcare” or “medical power of attorney.”

Anatomical Gift
If your intention is to donate your organs or body after death, you may also want to make sure that someone is empowered to assure that your wish is carried out.

View or download the document for Advance Directives, living will and healthcare power of attorney.