Life Care Planning
April 24, 2021
Making sure your wishes are followed is something we all feel strongly about. Talking with your loved ones about your wishes is important but taking the time to complete your Advance Directives is an imperative step to ensuring your wishes are followed. Life Care Planning is the process of deciding your medical wishes and who you want to carry them out, in case you are unable to do so. This provides a documented way for you to express your wishes, whatever they may be, so you receive the treatment you want if you can no longer communicate. Hopefully, having your wishes clearly stated will help those close to you avoid the pain of trying to guess what you would or would not want done. The following documents are provided as a resource. You do not need a lawyer to help you fill these out but please consult a professional if you have further questions.
Arizona Attorney General Advanced Directive Packet – Click Here
California Advanced Health Care Directive Form – Click Here
Florida Designation of Health Care Surrogate – Click Here
Minnesota Health Care Directive – Click Here
Ohio Health Care Power of Attorney – Click Here
Pennsylvania Advance Health Care Directive – Click Here
Texas Living Will Directive – Click Here
Wisconsin Power of Attorney for Health Care – Click Here
New Mexico Optional Advance Health Care Directive Form – Click Here
Note: This form is optional. In New Mexico, you do not have to use any form; instead, you may tell your doctor whom you want to make health care decisions for you. If you have not signed a form or told your doctor whom you want to make your health care decisions, New Mexico law allows these people, in the following order, to make your health care decisions (if these people are reasonably available):
- Spouse
- Significant other
- Adult child
- Parent
- Adult brother or sister
- Grandparent
- Close friend