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Information on Living Wills and Advanced Directives

HFA has devoted considerable resources to educating the public on the need for care planning, and how to do advance directives. Toward that end we offer information that we believe can be of practical use for you. The information below has been excerpted from our on-line course in end of life care which was designed for Florida clergy, developed on behalf of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Because of this, some of the information is specific to Florida law. It is important to ensure that the documents you use conform to your own state law (check the Website of your own state Attorney General. Most AG's have toll free numbers if the Website information is not clear).

In spite of what the media is covering, it is critical to keep in mind that a living will, advance directives and health care planning are not guarantees that your wishes will be followed. However without them, the chances are excellent that your wishes will not be followed. Advance directives are the best tools we have at this point in our society, and even though they require considerable work, it will be well worth it if you can save your family anguish similar to that of the Schiavo family. Of equal importance to advance directives, you should consider and appoint a health care surrogate to speak for you when you are incapacitated. The modules in this section emphasize the role of the surrogate. We only reiterate it here because of its importance.

What is Advance Care Planning?
The Instruments of Advance Care Planning — Advance Directives
Preparing Advance Directive Documents
Barriers to Doing Advance Care Planning
Identifying Health Care Preferences
The Role of the Health Care Surrogate

HFA also offers a short document to help you organize information that you will need in a medical emergency.

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