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Advance Directives
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What is an Advance Directive?
An Advance Directive is a legal form you fill out and sign that lets us know your health care wishes when you cannot speak for yourself. Advance Directive forms are available for your convenience via this link. It’s your right to accept or refuse medical care when you are very ill.
When you are very ill we need to know what you have decided about such things as:
- Being brought back to life if your heart or breathing stops
- Having a machine breathe for you
- Being fed through a tube if you can’t eat
- Getting blood transfusions, antibiotics, fluids through your veins, or getting other medicines
What are examples of Advance Directives?
There are two types of Advance Directives:
The Living Will spells out in writing your wishes for your health care should you become very ill and unable to speak for yourself.
The Designation of Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care lets you name a person to make decisions for you, if you become unable to do so yourself.
Consider an Advance Directive in your health care planning.
- Know your rights
- Plan ahead
- Fill out and go over your Advance Directive carefully
- Talk about your wishes with your family and doctor
- Express your wishes clearly
If you need help in making out an Advance Directive or would like to know more, ask one of the health care team members for their help. He or she can talk about Advance Directives with you and help you fill out the forms. You may also contact a social worker at (305) 324-4455, extension 4236, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
It’s also good to carry a notice with you at all times letting people know you have filed an Advance Directive. Download a form you can print, fill out, and keep in your wallet or purse.
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