Advance Care Planning
Think...about the kind of care you would want to receive if
you should ever become unable to speak for yourself.

Talk...with those you love about your values, choices and wishes in care.

Act...by completing and signing a Durable Power of Attorney
for Health Care Decisions (DPOAHC). Share a copy of this document with your family, health care agent, physician, and, if you have one, attorney.

Planning in advance, free of crisis and pressure, is the best way to make sure that you receive the health care you want at the end of life. The decisions and thinking that you participate in and share with others while you are healthy will likely be better than decisions that others make for you if you are seriously ill.

What is a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions? (DPOAHC)

• It is a document that allows you to name a person to make health care decisions for you if you ever become unable to speak for yourself.
• You give the agent the right to make decisions on your behalf.
• You may give specific directions or general guidelines.
• You may clarify specific are that you do or do not want to receive.
• The goal is to ensure that your wishes will be know and will be honored.
  Remember....
• The agent you name will make health care decisions for you when and only when you cannot communicate for yourself.
• You may change your instructions or agent at any time.
  
  You may call the Hospice office at 800-315-5122 for more information.