Advance Directives
A Simple and Smart Way to Take Charge of Your Care
One of the most important decisions you can make about your care is to fill out advance directives in case you can no longer make decisions or speak for yourself. Advance directives are documents that let others know your wishes about the type of care that you want and will only be used if you are unable to communicate or advocate for yourself.
Different states have different laws about advance directives. Check with your Admissions department or nurse if you have any questions. Directives can include:
Living Will
This set of instructions explains the type of life-prolonging medical care you wish to accept or refuse. It can include your wishes about the use of resuscitation (CPR) if your heart stops, a ventilator if you stop breathing, feeding tubes if there are concerns regarding your nutrition, or IVs if you cannot eat or drink independently.
Health Care Proxy
This is a legal document that names someone who can make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so. An official health care proxy can represent your wishes on emergency care and other medical issues like potential treatment options, including blood transfusions, kidney dialysis, CPR, intubation, etc. Choose someone you trust, discuss your medical wishes and make sure the person you identify agrees to represent you and your interests in this role. Please note, during your hospitalization, staff can assist you in completing this form.
MOLST
This form is a legal and medical document that is generally used for patients with serious health conditions. The patient or other decision-maker should consider asking a hospital physician, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant to fill out a MOLST form if you would like to avoid or receive any or all life-sustaining treatment, if you reside in a long-term care facility or require long-term care services, or if you may pass within the next year. Ask your doctor for more information on this important form, and please note that during your hospital stay, staff can assist you in completing this form as well.
Power of Attorney
You have the right to appoint someone to help manage your finances if you cannot. This individual would be appointed with the assistance of a notary or attorney and can be your identified health care proxy or a different individual of your choosing.