Text Box: ADVANCE DIRECTIVES A federal law, effective December 1, 1991, gives every competent adult, 18 years or older, the right to make their own health care decisions, even if you become unable to state your wishes. When you are admitted to the hospital and/or home health agency, you will be asked if you have an advance directive. Your admission and care is not conditional on whether you have an advance directive. If you do, please provide a copy of the documents. A copy of the directive will be made part of your permanent medical record; you will keep the original. An advance directive is a statement made and witnessed in advance of serious illness or injury that allows you to state your choices about medical treatment, or to name someone to carry out your wishes or make decisions about your medical treatment if you are unable to make these decisions yourself. Not stating your wishes in writing may mean forcing family members to make decisions that could be difficult for them to make. Living Will A living will is a statement of your wishes regarding the use of life prolonging treatments or procedures IF you are in a terminal condition, an end stage condition, or a persistent vegetative state. It is called a "Living Will" because it takes effect while you are still living and cannot make health care decisions for yourself. "Life-prolonging treatment' is defined as any medical procedure, treatment, or intervention, including artificially provided sustenance and hydration, which sustains, restores, or supplants a spontaneous vital function. Treatments or procedures needed to keep you comfortable will still be done. Do Not Resuscitate Order Emergency medical personnel cannot honor a Living Will; they are required to provide emergency care, including resuscitation, unless they have a doctor's order to withhold CPR. A Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNRO) is a specific document signed by both you and your doctor stating that you are not to receive CPR if your heart stops or you stop breathing. Other medical care, like oxygen or medicine to keep you comfortable and to alleviate pain will still be provided. Health Care Surrogate A Health Care Surrogate is a person you name to make medical treatment decisions for you when you are unable to make your own decisions temporarily or permanently.You can name any competent adult who is at least 18 years old. Make sure the person you name agrees to act in this regard for you.Your Health Care Surrogate should make health care decisions for you that he or she believes you would have made for yourself. For this reason, it is important that you discuss your wishes with your Health Care Surrogate. Your surrogate may also apply for public benefits on your behalf, arrange for after hospital care, or give consent for organ and/or tissue donation after your death. You can also name a second person as an alternate in case your first Surrogate is unavailable or unable to make decisions. Completing Directives Advance directives must be signed and witnessed by two competent adults, one of whom is neither your spouse nor a blood relative. Your surrogate designee(s) may not be a witness. It does not have to be notarized. It is important that your Advance Directive is dated. Durable Power of Attorney A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) is a document drafted by your legal counsel and designates the person of your choice to act as your health care surrogate and/or manage your financial affairs. Your personal attorney can assist you.