Advanced Directives

As a capable adult, you have many rights when you receive health care. You have the right to be told about your medical choices and their benefits and risks. You also have the right to accept or refuse these choices. Whatever you decide, it is important to talk about your decisions with your physician, other health professionals and those closest to you. It’s also important to put these plans in writing in case you become unable to make your own decisions.

Advance care planning is a process that starts with thinking about possible future health choices and making sure those choices reflect the values and life goals that are important to you. You should discuss these choices with those close to you so that they understand what quality of life means to you, both now and in the future.

Who will speak for you? Get advance care planning.

Can you answer these questions?

Do you know what health care treatments you would and would not want if you could not speak for yourself?
Do other people know what your wishes are?

Included in an Advance Directive

A healthcare power of attorney (or "proxy" or "agent" or "surrogate") documents the person you select to be your voice for your health care decisions if you cannot speak for yourself
A living will documents what kinds of medical treatments you would or would not want at the end of life
Durable power of attorney for healthcare
Physician orders for scope of treatment (POST)
Life-sustaining treatments

Learn more about end-of-life decisions

All adults can benefit from thinking about what their healthcare choices would be if they are unable to speak for themselves. These decisions can be written down in an advance directive so that others know what they are.

For more information and forms visit these websites:
For Idaho Residents:

Advanced Directives & Registry Services

For Washington Residents:

Advance Care Planning