Advance Directives

Living Wills and Health Care Power of Attorney

If you are 18 or older and mentally competent, you have the right to make decisions about your medical treatment.

If you want to control decisions about your health care, even if you are unable to make or express them yourself, you will need an Advance Directive. An Advance Directive is a set of instructions you give about the health care you want, in the event you lose the ability to make decisions for yourself.

There are three kinds of Advance Directives: a Living Will, a Health Care Power of Attorney, and Advance Instructions for Mental Health Treatment.

If you have any questions on Advanced Directives, you may ask your attorney or provider to counsel you. Your nurse can also supply you with Advance Directive forms.