Advance Directives
If you would like information on Advance Directives (Living Wills or Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare) please contact your nurse who will arrange for someone from Social Services to visit with you.
Living Will
What is a living will?
A Living Will is a document that specifies a person’s choices of life-sustaining treatment to be received should the need arise. Unlike a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, a Living Will normally does not allow for the appointment of an individual to make health care decisions.
Printable Living Will
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
What is a durable power of attorney for health care?
A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care document authorizes another person to make health care decisions for an individual who, temporarily or permanently, can no longer make or communicate such decisions.
The term “durable” means the individual appointed is authorized to make health care decisions on behalf of the person who becomes incapacitated—for example, a person who is in a coma after a car accident.
Without a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, the family member or close friend making the health care decision for you may not be the individual you would select.
For what period of time is a durable power of attorney for health care effective?
A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is effective until revoked or death occurs. At least every two years, the document should be reviewed to ensure the individual appointed and the health care decisions expressed are still appropriate.
Printable Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
