Advance directives: your power to choose
Today, perhaps more than ever, people understand the need to put legal documents in place to protect their wishes concerning end-of-life issues. These documents, called advance directives, help your care providers know what measures you would or would not like taken if you become incapable of making important decisions.One such advance directive is the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. In this document, you state the person(s) whom you wish to have legal right to make health care decisions on your behalf, should you become incapable of making those choices yourself. It also allows you to state what life-sustaining measures you would or would not want taken, such as resuscitation and/or artificial nutrition.
Sacred Heart Medical Center provides the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, free of charge. You may download the form (see the link below). Please note, while you can complete this document without the assistance of a lawyer, you should consider signing it in the presence of a notary public. Once you have done so, be sure to make copies for your family and physician.
Call 474-3081 if you have questions.
Download the Advanced Directives/Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care form
Visit the American Hosptial Association's website for more information about Living Wills.
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