Life Choices
COMMUNICATING ABOUT END OF LIFE
Life Choices: Page 6 of 36
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Advance Directives: Health care choices directive
Health care choices directive | Living wills
Health care choices directive
A health care choices directive, included in the second part of the six-page form included with the pdf version of the Life Choices publication, allows you to provide clear and convincing proof of whether you want your life lengthened by medical treatment.
When you become unable to make decisions or communicate your wishes, your doctor and agent will make decisions based on what you have expressed in the health care choices directive section of your form.
If you have named an agent, only this person has the legal authority to make health care decisions for you. Tell your family whom you have chosen as your agent. Your agent may wish to talk with your family before making decisions.
Health care providers and your agent must follow the directions given in your advance directive. The only exception is if your request would require a health care provider to break the law. A provider who does not want to follow your directive must help you transfer to a facility where your advance directive will be honored.
An advance directive stays in effect until you die unless you cancel it. If you want to later make changes to your directive, simply initial and date the changes in the margin of your advance directives form.
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