Advance care planning

It’s important to think about and plan for the kind of future medical care you would want if you’re not able to decide or speak for yourself.

Completing an advance health care directive helps you think about situations that you aren’t able to predict. It also gives your caregivers peace of mind — when they know your health care preferences, they won’t wonder whether they’re doing the right thing on your behalf. If you currently live in Pennsylvania, you can get started by downloading the Pennsylvania Advance Health Care Directive. This document includes a living will form and healthcare power of attorney form. If you live outside of Pennsylvania, you can visit Prepare for Your Care to fill out an advance directive.

What is an advance directive?

An advance directive is a legal document that helps your family members, close friends, and doctors understand your health care wishes (living will). It also names someone to make your medical decisions if you’re not able to make them yourself (medical power of attorney). This person can also be called a health care proxy, health care surrogate, or health care agent. It is usually a spouse, close family member, or friend.An advance directive only goes into effect when you are not able to speak for yourself. 

Why do I need an advance directive? 

Advance care planning and advance directives give you and your loved ones peace of mind, knowing that your wishes will be followed and respected if you are unable to speak for yourself. If you don’t have an advance care directive, or haven’t planned in advance, the state laws where you live will decide who can make your health care decisions for you. This person may not be familiar with you and your wishes, which means the care you receive may not match what you would have wanted.

You also can’t assume that your loved ones know your wishes and preferences. It’s best to have these discussions with them and formalize your choices with an advance directive.

When should I fill out an advance directive?

No matter your age or health status, now is the time to talk with your family, close friends, and doctors about your personal values and preferences, and make your wishes and instructions known with formal advance care planning. You don’t want to wait until you are too sick to make your own decisions or aren’t able to tell your caregivers your wishes.

Once you fill out an advance directive, it’s a good idea to review it with your family and care team once a year to update any decisions. 

Start the advance care planning process now

You can complete your advance directive in just three short steps to help give you and your caregivers peace of mind. 

Step 1: Choose someone to make your medical decisions.

Your medical power of attorney will make decisions about the care you receive if you aren’t able to make them yourself. This person will advocate for you in difficult situations and make sure your wishes are followed and respected. Usually, this person is a spouse, trusted family member, or close friend who knows you and your preferences well.

Step 2: Think about and decide your future health care preferences.

Your living will empowers you to choose the future medical care and treatments you want when you’re not able to speak for yourself, including end-of-life care or lifesaving measures in an emergency. Once you’ve decided the type of care you want, fill out your living will form.

Step 3: Sign the forms and keep them somewhere safe.

Don’t forget to save, print, and sign your advance directive forms. If you’re in Pennsylvania, the law doesn’t require you to notarize advance directives. However, it’s always a good idea to have the document witnessed and notarized in case you no longer live in Pennsylvania when it is used. Make a copy for your records, give copies to your doctor and close friends or family, and make sure your medical power of attorney has a copy.