{"id":2158,"date":"2023-09-22T21:33:13","date_gmt":"2023-09-22T21:33:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/?page_id=2158"},"modified":"2026-10-15T16:50:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T16:50:09","slug":"advance-directive","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/advance-directive\/","title":{"rendered":"Advance Directive"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"2158\" class=\"elementor elementor-2158\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ebe5279 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"ebe5279\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8dc89a7\" data-id=\"8dc89a7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7ff85d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d7ff85d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Advance Directives<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-601fc4c elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"601fc4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"far fa-square\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c849873 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c849873\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-691df7c8\" data-id=\"691df7c8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15f008ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"15f008ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cYour Advance Directive is your voice. Choose someone you trust to make sure it is heard.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ec20057 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7ec20057\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>~ Grant Affleck\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f3b1130 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f3b1130\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e147a7d\" data-id=\"e147a7d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d70fae elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"1d70fae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"basics\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7aa04d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c7aa04d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">After learning about your options and considering what matters most to you, the next step is to put your wishes in writing.<\/p><p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">An <strong>Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD)<\/strong> allows you to document your health care wishes and name a trusted person\u2014your <strong>health care agent<\/strong>\u2014to make decisions for you if you are unable to make or communicate those decisions yourself. You may also hear terms such as \u2018health care proxy\u2019 or \u2018surrogate decision-maker.\u2019 While these terms are sometimes used generally to describe someone who makes <strong>health care decisions<\/strong> for another person, California\u2019s Advance Health Care Directive uses the term \u2018agent\u2019 for the person you formally appoint to make health care decisions on your behalf.<\/p><p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><strong>Your directive can address the kinds of medical care you would or would not want and provide guidance about your values and priorities.<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Just as important as choosing your health care agent is talking with that person. Make sure your agent understands your wishes, what matters most to you, and the values behind the choices you have made. These conversations can help your agent feel better prepared to speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself.<\/p><p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><strong>Advance care planning is not just for older adults or people facing serious illness. Every adult should consider having an Advance Health Care Directive.<\/strong> Once a person turns 18, parents generally no longer have the automatic legal authority to make health care decisions on their behalf. An unexpected accident, sudden illness, or medical emergency can happen at any age. Having a directive in place helps ensure that the right person can speak for you and that your wishes can guide your care when you cannot speak for yourself.<\/p><p><strong>Your advance directive records your choices. Your conversations help your agent understand why they matter to you.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5549671 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"5549671\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"advance-directive\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dee5800 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"dee5800\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19d39dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"19d39dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">CHOOSING AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-508f221 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"508f221\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1365978 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1365978\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"432\" data-end=\"1111\">There are many Advance Directive forms available. Some states provide their own statutory forms, and forms are also available through attorneys, hospitals, health care organizations, and other trusted sources. <strong data-start=\"642\" data-end=\"1004\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/financial-legal\/free-printable-advance-directives\/?cmp=KNC-DSO-CAREGIVING-AdvanceDirectives-22760-GOOG-AdvancedDirectivesForms-Exact-NonBrand&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwgNanBhDUARIsAAeIcAtlsGif5mXpFkWQZKaLMC81EidgDlGrpUwWAcJB2ufcwInKvEprF0UaAgLJEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"644\" data-end=\"1002\">AARP provides Advance Directive forms and information for each state.<\/a><\/strong> Because requirements vary by state, be sure the document you choose meets the requirements where you live.<\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1113\" data-end=\"1329\"><strong>Additional Advance Directive forms and information are available in our Resources section.<\/strong><\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1331\" data-end=\"1368\">Final Exodus also provides two forms:<\/p><ul data-start=\"1370\" data-end=\"1927\"><li data-section-id=\"rsu2yl\" data-start=\"1370\" data-end=\"1667\"><strong data-start=\"1372\" data-end=\"1531\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Advance-Health-Care-Directive_v16c_6-13-24_filled.pdf\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1374\" data-end=\"1529\">General Advance Health Care Directive<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 for documenting your health care wishes and identifying the person you want to speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"10oo54t\" data-start=\"1668\" data-end=\"1927\"><strong data-start=\"1670\" data-end=\"1791\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/early_dementia_directive.pdf\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1672\" data-end=\"1789\">Early Dementia Directive<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 specifically designed for people diagnosed with early-stage dementia who want to provide additional guidance about their future care.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"10oo54t\" data-start=\"1668\" data-end=\"1927\">\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1929\" data-end=\"2178\"><strong data-start=\"1929\" data-end=\"2037\">Whatever form you choose, your advance directive should reflect your own wishes, values, and priorities.<\/strong> Read it carefully, make sure you understand what it says, and discuss your wishes with the people who may one day be asked to speak for you.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a2bfe1c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a2bfe1c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cda538a\" data-id=\"cda538a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a20cda9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a20cda9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">ELEMENTS OF ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a446f19 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"a446f19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba492da elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ba492da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"276\" data-end=\"524\">Advance Directive forms vary, but most are designed to accomplish two important things: <strong data-start=\"364\" data-end=\"524\">document your health care wishes and identify the person you trust to speak for you if you are unable to make or communicate health care decisions yourself.<\/strong><\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"529\" data-end=\"617\">An Advance Directive allows you to:<\/p><ul data-start=\"622\" data-end=\"1336\"><li data-section-id=\"4kb80o\" data-start=\"622\" data-end=\"772\"><strong data-start=\"624\" data-end=\"652\">Name a health care agent<\/strong> to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself, as well as one or more alternate agents.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1mhz360\" data-start=\"775\" data-end=\"914\"><strong data-start=\"777\" data-end=\"813\">Describe your health care wishes<\/strong>, including treatments you would or would not want and circumstances that might affect those choices.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"6ulzcs\" data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"1065\"><strong data-start=\"919\" data-end=\"988\">Provide guidance about your values and quality-of-life priorities<\/strong> to help your agent and health care team understand what matters most to you.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"mpeqa8\" data-start=\"1068\" data-end=\"1173\"><strong data-start=\"1070\" data-end=\"1116\">Express preferences about end-of-life care<\/strong>, including comfort care and other medical interventions.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1yc3mm0\" data-start=\"1176\" data-end=\"1234\"><strong data-start=\"1178\" data-end=\"1234\">Express your wishes about organ and tissue donation.<\/strong><\/li><li data-section-id=\"13rqzzd\" data-start=\"1237\" data-end=\"1334\"><strong data-start=\"1239\" data-end=\"1284\">Provide other information or instructions<\/strong> permitted by the form and the laws of your state.<\/li><\/ul><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1339\" data-end=\"1630\">Whatever form you use, completing the document is only part of the process. <strong data-start=\"1415\" data-end=\"1497\">Talk with your health care agent about your wishes and the values behind them.<\/strong> The better your agent understands what matters to you, the better prepared they will be to represent your wishes if the need arises.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bfcfca0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"bfcfca0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb06c46 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bb06c46\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A NOTE ABOUT DEMENTIA<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07d717a elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"07d717a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24c8db4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"24c8db4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"Choosing-your-health-care-agent\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ecba640 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ecba640\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2314\" data-end=\"2639\">A diagnosis of dementia does not necessarily mean that a person has lost decision-making capacity. However, because dementia can eventually affect the ability to make or communicate health care decisions, it is worth considering whether your advance directive adequately addresses the possibility of future cognitive decline.<\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2641\" data-end=\"2861\">Some people choose to provide additional instructions concerning dementia or use a separate dementia directive or supplement to give their health care agent, loved ones, and care team greater guidance about their wishes.<\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2863\" data-end=\"3046\">Final Exodus provides an <strong data-start=\"1670\" data-end=\"1791\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/early_dementia_directive.pdf\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1672\" data-end=\"1789\">Early Dementia Directive<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0for people who have been diagnosed with early-stage dementia and want to document additional preferences about their future care.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-998c35a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"998c35a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-881624c\" data-id=\"881624c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b48dc01 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b48dc01\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">CHOOSING YOUR HEALTH CARE AGENT<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a62828 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"0a62828\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b5f2d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0b5f2d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"564\" data-end=\"899\"><strong>Give careful thought to whom you choose to act as your healthcare agent.<\/strong> Choose someone you trust to understand your wishes and speak on your behalf if you are unable to make or communicate health care decisions yourself. Your agent should be someone who is willing to <strong data-start=\"760\" data-end=\"788\">advocate for your wishes<\/strong>, ask questions when necessary, and communicate clearly with your health care team and the people close to you.<\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"564\" data-end=\"899\">Before you name someone as your health care agent, talk with that person about the role and make sure they are willing to serve. <strong data-start=\"448\" data-end=\"604\">You should feel confident that they will respect and advocate for your wishes, <em>even when those wishes differ from what they might choose for themselves.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-393c322 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"393c322\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3878dcd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3878dcd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">MAKING YOUR ADVANCE DIRECTIVE VALID<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddd059b elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"ddd059b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f33642 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"2f33642\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"incap\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae900b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ae900b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1121\" data-end=\"1365\">Advance directives must be completed according to the laws of the state in which they are executed. Requirements vary by state and may include witnessing, notarization, or other formalities. Some states also restrict who may serve as a witness.<\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1367\" data-end=\"1490\">Before signing your advance directive, review the requirements that apply to you and make sure you follow them correctly.<\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1492\" data-end=\"1617\"><strong data-start=\"1492\" data-end=\"1617\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/living-will\/living-wills--state-laws.html\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1494\" data-end=\"1615\">Find Advance Directive requirements by state.<\/a><\/strong><\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1619\" data-end=\"1962\">For example, California&#8217;s statutory Advance Health Care Directive can generally be completed with <strong data-start=\"1717\" data-end=\"1791\">two qualified adult witnesses or acknowledgment before a notary public<\/strong>; there are restrictions on who may serve as a witness, and additional requirements apply to residents of skilled nursing facilities.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7ea950e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7ea950e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-31942e2\" data-id=\"31942e2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e538cb5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e538cb5\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ab91c95\" data-id=\"ab91c95\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36d6e70 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"36d6e70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">UNDERSTANDING DECISION-MAKING CAPACITY <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a472bc elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"6a472bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ccdf67f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ccdf67f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-71d1cec\" data-id=\"71d1cec\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52e18e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"52e18e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"456\" data-end=\"871\"><strong data-start=\"456\" data-end=\"484\">Decision-making capacity<\/strong> generally refers to a person&#8217;s ability to understand relevant information, appreciate how it applies to their situation, consider the available choices and their consequences, and communicate a decision. Capacity is <strong data-start=\"701\" data-end=\"722\">decision-specific<\/strong>: a person may be able to make some decisions even when other, more complex decisions are beyond their ability.<\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"873\" data-end=\"1123\">A diagnosis of dementia or another cognitive condition does not automatically mean that a person lacks decision-making capacity. Capacity may also change over time and should be considered in relation to the particular decision that needs to be made.<\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1125\" data-end=\"1477\">When there is concern about a person&#8217;s ability to make a health care decision, an appropriate health care professional may evaluate decision-making capacity. The question is not whether someone understands every technical medical term, but whether they can sufficiently understand and consider the information necessary to make the particular decision.<\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1479\" data-end=\"1802\"><strong data-start=\"1479\" data-end=\"1493\">Competence<\/strong> is a related legal concept, generally determined in a legal context. Although the terms <em data-start=\"1582\" data-end=\"1592\">capacity<\/em> and <em data-start=\"1597\" data-end=\"1609\">competence<\/em> are sometimes used interchangeably in everyday conversation, <strong data-start=\"1671\" data-end=\"1699\">decision-making capacity<\/strong> is usually the more appropriate term when discussing a person&#8217;s ability to make health care decisions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d707e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0d707e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">WHEN SOMEONE CANNOT MAKE A HEALTH CARE DECISION<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cbb1b60 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"cbb1b60\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c94c44 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"6c94c44\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"agent\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d671620 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d671620\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1857\" data-end=\"2114\">If a person lacks the capacity to make a particular health care decision, someone else may need to make that decision on their behalf. An Advance Health Care Directive allows you to name a <strong data-start=\"2046\" data-end=\"2067\">health care agent<\/strong> and provide instructions to guide that person.<\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"2116\" data-end=\"2483\">If no agent has been designated, the process for identifying an appropriate decision-maker depends on the law of the state where the person is receiving care. For example, California law provides a process for selecting a surrogate when a patient lacks capacity and has no otherwise legally recognized health care decision-maker.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7bb5f10 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7bb5f10\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-09765cb\" data-id=\"09765cb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50736a7 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget-tablet__width-inherit elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"50736a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92ec745 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"92ec745\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The role of your health care agent<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-293f0b0 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"293f0b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9b6c4b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f9b6c4b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"634\" data-end=\"806\">When your health care agent is authorized to make decisions on your behalf, their role is to represent <strong data-start=\"737\" data-end=\"777\">your wishes, values, and preferences<\/strong>\u2014<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em>not to substitute their own.<\/em><\/span>\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1109\" data-end=\"1390\">Your advance directive can also place limits on your agent&#8217;s authority or provide specific instructions about treatments you would or would not want. An agent should follow those instructions and use what they know about your wishes and values when making decisions on your behalf.<\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1392\" data-end=\"1674\">This is one reason choosing your health care agent carefully\u2014and talking openly with that person\u2014is so important. <strong data-start=\"1506\" data-end=\"1674\">Your agent may one day be asked to speak when you cannot. The better they understand what matters to you, the better prepared they will be to represent your wishes.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62a1638 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"62a1638\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-675455c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"675455c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">COMPLEX DECISIONS AFTER LOSS OF CAPACITY<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2132e57 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"2132e57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b0b6c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0b0b6c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1722\" data-end=\"1992\">Some questions become considerably more complicated when a person has lost decision-making capacity, particularly those involving eating and drinking, artificial nutrition and hydration, or previously expressed wishes concerning <strong data-start=\"361\" data-end=\"413\">Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED).<\/strong><\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1994\" data-end=\"2416\">The medical, ethical, and legal considerations surrounding these decisions can vary depending on the circumstances and applicable state law. These more complex issues are discussed separately in our <strong data-start=\"2183\" data-end=\"2244\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/deep-dive\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"2185\" data-end=\"2242\">Deep Dive<\/a><\/strong> section and in the <strong data-start=\"2264\" data-end=\"2415\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/early_dementia_directive.pdf\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"2266\" data-end=\"2413\">instructions accompanying the Early Dementia Directive<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f70977a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f70977a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85bbcb3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"85bbcb3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">ABOUT THE FINAL EXODUS ADVANCE DIRECTIVE<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da63003 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"da63003\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5af2d44 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5af2d44\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"670\" data-end=\"920\">The Final Exodus <strong data-start=\"1372\" data-end=\"1531\"><a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Advance-Health-Care-Directive_v16c_6-13-24_filled.pdf\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1374\" data-end=\"1529\">General Advance Health Care Directive<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is designed to be concise and easy to understand. It provides space for essential information while allowing you to document your wishes and identify the people who may need to speak for you.<\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"922\" data-end=\"1053\"><strong data-start=\"922\" data-end=\"932\">Page 1<\/strong> identifies you, your health care agent and alternate agent, and your physician, along with relevant contact information.<\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1055\" data-end=\"1268\"><strong data-start=\"1055\" data-end=\"1065\">Page 2<\/strong> contains the central provisions of the directive. This is where you provide guidance about the health care you would or would not want if you were unable to make or communicate those decisions yourself.<\/p><p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"1270\" data-end=\"1544\"><strong data-start=\"1270\" data-end=\"1280\">Page 3<\/strong> includes additional provisions, such as preferences concerning organ donation and disposition of remains, as well as the signatures needed to complete the document. Be sure to follow the signing, witnessing, or notarization requirements that apply where you live.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d01393 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"0d01393\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97c7dea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"97c7dea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FOCUSING ON WHAT MATTERS TO YOU<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2c2e82 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"e2c2e82\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cde43e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"cde43e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"dnr-and-polst\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30227f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"30227f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Rather than attempting to anticipate every medical treatment or circumstance that might arise, an Advance Directive focuses on your <strong>wishes, values, and quality-of-life priorities<\/strong>. It can also address specific treatments, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and mechanical ventilation.<\/p><p>No form, however detailed, can anticipate every medical situation. A clear, concise directive can help others understand what matters most to you, but the document is only one part of thoughtful advance care planning.<\/p><p>Conversations with your health care agent are equally important. They give your agent a deeper understanding of your wishes and the values behind them, which can help guide decisions when circumstances arise that you could not have anticipated. A <strong>Letter to Your Agent<\/strong> can provide additional guidance by putting those wishes, values, and priorities into your own words.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95a4cd9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"95a4cd9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55ef205 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"55ef205\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">UNDERSTANDING DNR AND POLST<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-846be31 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"846be31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95c54d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"95c54d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A <strong>Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)<\/strong> order is a medical order directing health care professionals not to attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a person&#8217;s heart stops or they stop breathing. It addresses resuscitation specifically and does not, by itself, mean that other medical treatments or comfort care should be withheld.<\/p><p>In California, a person&#8217;s preferences about CPR can also be documented through a <strong>Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)<\/strong> form, designed primarily for people who are seriously ill or medically frail.<\/p><p>A POLST translates a person&#8217;s current treatment preferences into <strong>medical orders that health care professionals can follow<\/strong> across different care settings.<\/p><p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><u>What Does a POLST Cover<\/u><\/strong><\/span>?<\/p><p>A California POLST addresses three important areas of medical care:<\/p><ul data-spread=\"false\"><li><p><strong>Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR):<\/strong> Whether to attempt resuscitation if the person&#8217;s heart stops or they stop breathing.<\/p><\/li><li><p><strong>Medical Interventions:<\/strong> The level of medical treatment desired, including decisions about intensive medical care, hospitalization, and comfort-focused treatment.<\/p><\/li><li><p><strong>Medically Administered Nutrition:<\/strong> Preferences concerning artificial nutrition, such as feeding through a tube.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>A POLST allows individuals to document both treatments they want to receive and treatments they want to decline.<\/strong><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>How Does a POLST Differ From a DNR<\/strong><\/span>?<\/p><p>A standalone DNR order addresses only resuscitation. A POLST is broader, allowing a person to document preferences about CPR and other medical treatments.<\/p><p>A properly completed POLST with a DNR selection can serve as a DNR order, <strong>often making a separate prehospital DNR form unnecessary<\/strong>. If you have both documents, review them with your health care professional to ensure they reflect the same wishes.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>What Happens To a DNR During Surgery<\/strong><\/span>?<\/p><p>Having a <strong>Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)<\/strong> order does not automatically prevent a person from undergoing surgery.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Before surgery or anesthesia, the patient and medical team should review any existing DNR or POLST orders,<\/strong><\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong> and discuss how the patient&#8217;s wishes <\/strong><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>will be honored during the procedure.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><p>Some treatments routinely used during anesthesia, such as assisted breathing or medications to support blood pressure, may overlap with interventions associated with resuscitation. For this reason, the patient may choose to <strong>maintain, temporarily modify, or suspend certain resuscitation limitations<\/strong> after discussing the risks and available options with the surgical and anesthesia teams.<\/p><p><strong>A DNR should not be automatically revoked or suspended simply because surgery is planned.<\/strong> Professional medical guidelines recommend an individualized discussion rather than a blanket policy.<\/p><p>If the medical team believes the patient&#8217;s requested limitations are incompatible with safely performing the procedure, further discussion may be necessary to explore alternatives.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The goal is to respect the patient&#8217;s informed decisions while establishing a clear, mutually understood plan for care during surgery and recovery.<\/strong><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>POLST And Advance Care Directives<\/strong><\/span><\/p><p>A POLST and an <strong>Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD)<\/strong> serve different purposes, and a person may have both.<\/p><p>An Advance Health Care Directive documents broader health care wishes and allows you to name someone to make health care decisions for you if you become unable to make them yourself.<\/p><p><strong>A POLST provides specific medical orders that health care professionals can act upon, including during an emergency. It complements an Advance Health Care Directive; it does not replace it.<\/strong><\/p><p>Whenever possible, your POLST and Advance Health Care Directive should reflect consistent wishes. Under California law, if a POLST directly conflicts with an individual&#8217;s health care instruction, <strong>the most recent valid order or instruction controls to the extent of the conflict.<\/strong><\/p><p>Review these documents with your health care professional and health care agent when your health condition or treatment preferences change to ensure they continue to reflect your wishes.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Signing And Keeping Your POLST Accessible<\/strong><\/span><\/p><p>In California, a POLST must be signed by the patient or, when legally appropriate, an authorized health care decision-maker, and by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant acting within the scope of their legal authority.<\/p><p><strong>Completing a POLST is voluntary.<\/strong><\/p><p>California recommends printing the form on bright pink paper so it can be easily recognized, although a POLST is valid on any color paper. Copies, scans, PDFs, and faxes of a properly completed form are also valid.<\/p><p><strong>A completed POLST should be kept in a visible, easily accessible location, such as on the refrigerator, where emergency medical personnel can readily find it.<\/strong><\/p><p>Copies should also be shared with your health care agent and health care providers for inclusion in your medical record. You may also keep a digital copy on your mobile phone for convenient access.<\/p><p>Because medical conditions and personal preferences may change, <strong>a POLST should be reviewed periodically, particularly following a significant change in health or treatment goals.<\/strong><\/p><h3>\u00a0<\/h3><p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Different Names In Different States <\/strong><\/span><\/p><p>The name of this type of medical order varies by state. While California uses <strong>POLST<\/strong>, other states use different names for similar forms.<\/p><p>For example, Colorado uses <strong>MOST<\/strong> (<em>Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment<\/em>), Vermont uses <strong>COLST<\/strong> (<em>Clinician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment<\/em>), and New York uses <strong>MOLST<\/strong> (<em>Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment<\/em>).<\/p><p><strong>Regardless of the name<\/strong>, these forms are intended to translate a person&#8217;s current treatment preferences into medical orders that health care professionals can follow.<\/p><p><strong>Because requirements and terminology vary by state, check the laws and forms applicable where you live.<\/strong><\/p><h3>\u00a0<\/h3><h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">CALIFORNIA POLST CHANGES TO TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2027<\/span><\/h3><p>California Senate Bill 1088 updates several requirements for POLST and prehospital Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders.<\/p><p>Beginning January 1, 2027, <strong>POLST will stand for <\/strong><em><strong>Portable Orders Listing Scope of Treatment<\/strong><\/em>, replacing the previous name, <em>Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment<\/em>.<\/p><p>The new law also:<\/p><ul data-spread=\"false\"><li><p>Authorizes qualifying physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to sign POLST and prehospital DNR orders, subject to applicable professional requirements.<\/p><\/li><li><p>Permits electronic signatures on these medical orders.<\/p><\/li><li><p>Recognizes qualifying POLST and other resuscitation orders executed in another state or jurisdiction.<\/p><\/li><li><p><strong>Prohibits health care facilities from making completion of, or refusal to complete, a POLST or prehospital DNR order a condition of providing care or admitting a patient.<\/strong><\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><strong>These changes take effect January 1, 2027.<\/strong> Until then, existing California requirements remain in effect.<\/p><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/capolst.org\/\">Learn more and view the California POLST form<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83ffdf4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"83ffdf4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"letterA\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-12c6a6ff elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"12c6a6ff\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6065cb67\" data-id=\"6065cb67\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c62b7db elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2c62b7db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Your letter to your health care Agent<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bb659b elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"3bb659b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b416f67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b416f67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-path-to-node=\"5,1\">Final Exodus encourages you to write a separate &#8216;<b data-path-to-node=\"5,1\" data-index-in-node=\"48\">Letter to My Agent,&#8217;<\/b>\u00a0giving you an opportunity to say more than an Advance Directive form may allow. In your own words, you can explain <strong>what matters most to you<\/strong>, the values behind your choices, and what you hope your agent will understand if circumstances arise that you could not anticipate.<\/p><p data-path-to-node=\"5,2\">Your letter does not need to sound legal or medical. <b data-path-to-node=\"5,2\" data-index-in-node=\"53\">Its purpose is to help the person who may one day speak for you understand not only what you want, but <em>why<\/em> it matters to you.<\/b><\/p><p data-path-to-node=\"5,3\">Your letter should complement your Advance Directive rather than contradict it. Share it with your health care agent and others whom you want to understand your wishes, and <strong>review it periodically as your health, circumstances, or priorities change.<\/strong><\/p><p data-path-to-node=\"5,4\">Your letter is in addition to the conversations you have with your loved ones.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6e0ae946 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6e0ae946\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-78db0543\" data-id=\"78db0543\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-307ef1d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"307ef1d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">POSSIBLE TOPICS FOR YOUR LETTER<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-262cf9d elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"262cf9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d59681a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d59681a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"auto\" data-start=\"5343\" data-end=\"5503\">Your letter can include anything that would help your health care agent better understand your wishes, values, and priorities. You might consider writing about:<\/p><ul data-start=\"5505\" data-end=\"6551\"><li data-section-id=\"125s3lc\" data-start=\"5505\" data-end=\"5671\"><strong data-start=\"5507\" data-end=\"5544\">What quality of life means to you<\/strong>, including activities, relationships, independence, communication, comfort, and other things that make life meaningful to you.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1gp5zst\" data-start=\"5672\" data-end=\"5776\"><strong data-start=\"5674\" data-end=\"5718\">Medical care you would or would not want<\/strong>, particularly if your condition were unlikely to improve.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"dr17qi\" data-start=\"5777\" data-end=\"5888\"><strong data-start=\"5779\" data-end=\"5830\">Your preferences about comfort care and hospice<\/strong> if you were seriously ill or approaching the end of life.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1l1pi9\" data-start=\"5889\" data-end=\"5960\"><strong data-start=\"5891\" data-end=\"5933\">Where you would prefer to receive care<\/strong>, when circumstances allow.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1gr9ffb\" data-start=\"5961\" data-end=\"6081\"><strong data-start=\"5963\" data-end=\"6001\">The people you would want involved<\/strong> in your care and whom your agent might consult when making difficult decisions.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"2q4y16\" data-start=\"6082\" data-end=\"6239\"><strong data-start=\"6084\" data-end=\"6137\">Your thoughts about dementia or cognitive decline<\/strong>, including what abilities, relationships, or aspects of independence are especially important to you.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"13v1ga5\" data-start=\"6240\" data-end=\"6349\"><strong data-start=\"6242\" data-end=\"6292\">Your spiritual, religious, or personal beliefs<\/strong>, and whether you would want them reflected in your care.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1g0lkz0\" data-start=\"6350\" data-end=\"6437\"><strong data-start=\"6352\" data-end=\"6437\">Your wishes concerning organ and tissue donation and disposition of your remains.<\/strong><\/li><li data-section-id=\"1p9nl7x\" data-start=\"6438\" data-end=\"6551\"><strong data-start=\"6440\" data-end=\"6496\">Anything else your agent should understand about you<\/strong> that might help them represent your wishes faithfully.<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Your Advance Directive records your choices. Your conversations and your letter help the people you trust understand the values behind them.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advance Directives \u201cYour Advance Directive is your voice. Choose someone you trust to make sure it is heard.\u201d ~ Grant Affleck\u00a0 After learning about your options and considering what matters most to you, the next step is to put your wishes in writing. An Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) allows you to document your health [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2158","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Advance Directive - Final Exodus<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/finalexodus.org\/EndOfLife\/advance-directive\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Advance Directive - Final Exodus\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Advance Directives \u201cYour Advance Directive is your voice. 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