Steps for completing your advance directives

  1. Have a conversation

    • Talk with family members and those closest to you.
    • Tell them what matters most to you.
    • Use the Quality of Life Considerations worksheet to help facilitate those discussions (see downloadable forms).
    •  These conversations are critical because whomever you name as your healthcare agent, they can override your documents. “I know my mom said she wanted to be hooked up to life support but she did those documents 5 years ago and last week she told me something different.” We want people speaking for people…not just the documents.
  2. Educate yourself and your loved ones on CPR
    • See the CPR guide (see downloadable forms). It contains important information.
  3. Understand the difference between a POLST and Advance Directive documents.
    • POLST: Provides legal orders to First Responders as to whether or not to perform CPR on you if they arrive at your home and find your heart and breathing have stopped. It also tells them what level of medical treatment you would want if you are still alive but non-responsive. If you do NOT have a POLST form on your refrigerator, First Responders will provide CPR. The POLST form is completed with a physician so they can sign it.
    • Advance Directive Documents: These serve as a guide for your family and medical providers telling them who speaks for you if you cannot (Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care) and what you want them to say (Health Care Directives).
  4. Complete both Advance Directive documents
    • Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare (who you want speaking for you)
    • Health Care Directive (what you want them to say in regards to life support)
  5. Get both documents notarized (or witnessed)
    • Neill Public Library offers free notary services on Tuesdays.
    • Most banks and credit unions also do.
  6. Distribute copies of your Health Care Directives
    • Make copies of your forms and provide them to key family members and especially to your chosen health care agent.
    • Bring a copy into the hospital Health Information Department to scan into your electronic medical record.

Additional Information to know:

Hospice vs Palliative Care

  • Hospice is for end of life. You must be terminal and be finished pursuing treatments for your terminal illness.

  • Palliative care is for someone with a chronic illness, any age, any stage. Most palliative care people are receiving treatments to help manage their illness.

Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) is your right if:

  • You are a Washington resident, at least 18 years old

  • You have diagnosed as terminal and have 6 months or less to live

  • You are mentally capable of making and articulating this decision

  • You can self administer the life ending medication