Your legal health decisions

Already have an advance directive?

We suggest you: 

• Sign and date it
• Keep a copy for yourself 
• Give a copy to your health care surrogate
• Give a copy to all your providers 
• Take a copy with you if you go to the hospital or emergency room 
• Keep a copy in your car (if you have one) 

What is “power of attorney for health care”?

It’s a document you use to choose your health care surrogate. This is known as your health care representative, durable power of attorney for health care, or medical power of attorney. This is the person who’ll make health care decisions for you if you’re unable to make them yourself. They’ll speak for you based on what you want done or what’s in your best interests. This goes into effect whether you’re unable to make health care decisions for the short term or the long term.

You can name almost anyone you want to be your health care surrogate. You decide how much power your surrogate will have to make these decisions. You can also decide when this goes into effect. It can be right away. Or only after a doctor says you’re unable to decide for yourself.  

What’s a living will?

A living will (or an instruction directive) is another type of advance directive. It lists your wishes for medical treatment if you’re very ill and may not recover, or you can’t speak for yourself. It tells your doctors what treatment you do or don’t want. This could include treatment or care that would keep you alive when there’s no chance of recovery.