Plan for Rough Water with Advance Directives April 2014 Diane G. Miller Associate General Counsel State Education Assistance Authority Phone: (919)

What are advance directives? Legal documents that state your health care preferences in writing Speak for you when you cannot speak for yourself Provide instructions about what kind of medical care you want

Types of advance directives Living will -- Declaration of a desire for a natural death Health care power of attorney Advance instruction for mental health treatment Declaration of anatomical gift - organ donation

Why make advance directives? Exercise your right to make decisions about your own treatment End of life decisions are difficult even when you are healthy Making decisions during a medical emergency makes it even more stressful Act now so that your decisions are deliberate, informed and reflect your wishes Reduce the burden on your family and friends

What is a living will? One type of an advance directive States choices you would make for yourself if you were unable to communicate Gives instructions about the kind of life- prolonging medical care you want if you become unable to make your own decisions

What is a health care power of attorney? Another type of advance directive Allows someone else to make decisions about your medical care if you are unable to make your own decisions Not limited to end of life decisions Generally more useful than a living will You must have another person you trust to make decisions for you

Communicate about your advance directives Talk with your family and friends about your advance directives Make sure your family and friends know your preferences Explain the reasons behind your choices Share your thoughts with people who you love and trust

From the home page click on FORMS in the left column

A list of standard forms to prepare your advanced directives can be found in the center of the page

Forms are in PDF and Word format Click the icons to select your format

Forms are in PDF and Word format Click the icons to select your format

Where is your advance directive? Give a copy to your primary health care provider and a trusted family member or friend You may register your advance directives with the SOS $10 fee per document To access the documents, a person must enter a unique file number and password