Advance Directive

A document in which a capable person sets out what, how or by whom health care decisions are to be made in the event that he or she is not capable of making health care decision on his /her own. Two types of advance directives are instruction directives and proxy directives:

    Instruction Directives - a directive in which the maker specifies what type of health care and treatment he or she wishes to receive or not receive.

    Proxy Directive - a document (sometimes referred to as an "enduring" or "durable" power of attorney for health care decisions) in which a capable person of 19 years or older names a proxy to make health care decisions for him/her in the event that he or she is not capable of making those decisions on his/her own. Proxy directives must be in writing, must be dated and signed by the maker; and must be witnessed by someone other than the proxy or the proxy's spouse.