The Complete Health Care Directive and Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare Download in Spanish Download in English

Making important health care decisions is often complicated and difficult. Generally, patients and families wish to make these decisions. However, in the event that the patient and/or family are unable to do so, there are options available to make wishes known in advance. Such options have become known as Advance Directives. These are directives for medical treatment. Included among these options are:

• Living Will. A Living Will takes effect when an individual is terminally ill and can no longer make decisions. It applies only to questions of treatment related to a terminal condition. Copies of the Living Will should be given to any individual who may be involved in decisions regarding treatment during a terminal illness.
  
  
• Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPAHC). This document allows you to designate another person to make decisions on your behalf. You can authorize this individual (called your agent) to make medical decisions while you are unable to do so. The DPAHC provides the opportunity to choose specific medical treatment.

Do Not Resuscitate Orders

Medicine and technology have given medical professionals the ability to restore and support breathing and heart functioning by mechanical means. In many cases this is beneficial. However, in terminal illnesses, it is seldom beneficial.

If you do not want to have resuscitation attempted, please ask your physician to write a Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR) to have available in your home. If you have a question about DNR orders, please do not hesitate to ask. A Hospice staff member will be able to provide more detailed information.