Advanced Directives - DPOA for Health Care

What is a health care advance directive?

A health care advance directive is the primary legal tool for any health care decision made when you cannot speak for yourself. "Health care advance directive" is the general term for any written statement you make while competent concerning your future health care wishes. Formal advance directives include the living will and the health care power of attorney. For additional information continue at the American Bar Association's section on Advanced Directives.

To help you think through the steps for an advanced directive you might want to read through the Consumer's Tool Kit for health Care Advanced Planning

Another resource to help think it through is to go through the Five Wishes

To obtain copies of Advanced Directives Forms used by states across the country go to the U. S. Living Will Registry. You can obtain forms in a variety of places: check with your local physician, hospital, hospice organization or public library. You can also find them by searching on goggle by typing in DPOA for health care and the name of the state.

The U. S. Living Will Registry requires payment to register a copy of your Living Will online. What is even more important is to discuss your wishes with your family and your family doctor. In addition, give your physician and hospital a copy of your Advanced Directive to place in your medical chart.

The Institute for Health Care Advancement makes available a copy of medical directives for low literate people (can be read by 5th graders). Available in English, Spanish , Chinese, and Vietnamese.

Individuals are increasingly using living wills and advance medical directives for psychiatric care. The PADs are used for those periods when the individual is not able to make competent decisions for themselves. For more information see:

National Resource Center on Psychiatric Advance Directives

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law - section on advanced directives

National Mental Health Association - section on advanced directives

The State of Maryland has some useful information on being a health care agent. The have a handbook available: Making Medical Decisions for Someone Else that can be downloaded. Its information is generic for everyone, not just residents of Maryland.

Still under construction. Last updated 12/23/2008