Advance Directives

You have the right to make decisions about your own health care, but what happens if you are sick or injured and are not able to make those decisions?

An Advance Directive allows you to make your wishes known to your family, friends and doctors while you are still able to do so. It also helps your family carry out your wishes and make important decisions for you.

In Wisconsin, two types of Advance Directives are used:

• Power of Attorney for Health Care - appoints someone to make health care decisions for you in the event that you are not capable of making them yourself.
• Living Will - describes your wishes if you are faced with a serious health condition, and you are not able to talk with others around you.

When making an Advance Directive, you should consider the following issues:

• Death
• Living as long as possible
• Being kept alive on machines
• Being independent
• Quality of life

Advance Directive forms are available from the Division of Public Heath at http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/forms/AdvDirectives/index.htm.

You can change or cancel your Advance Directive at anytime, as long as you are able.