Advance Directive Information

If you’ve been to the doctor or hospital recently, you have most likely been asked if you have an Advance Directive in place. An Advance Directive is a written statement that reliably shows that you have made a particular health care decision or have appointed another person to make that decision on your behalf.

The two most common forms of Advance Directives are 1) a Power of Attorney for Health Care or 2) a Living Will.  A Power of Attorney for Health Care, appoints someone else to make those decisions for you when you are no longer able to do so. The other, a Living Will states the type of medical care you do or do not want if you become unable to make your own decisions.

You may wonder, “is it really that important to have an Advance Directive?” The answer to this question is YES. By discussing and making these decisions before something happens, it allows you the peace of mind in knowing that your wishes will be carried out if needed. It also takes the burden off of family members or friends in having to make these difficult decisions during a stressful situation.  We often assume that our loved ones know what we want in regards to medical care, but unless we have had these conversations with them, we cannot assume that they truly understand.

At York General Hospital, we feel it’s very important to know your wishes so we are able to honor them. We would appreciate you bringing in a copy of your Advance Directive (if you already have one) so that we have it on file or we are happy to make copies for you. If you would like to create one, you can download copies of forms from here, or we also have copies of the “Five Wishes” booklets for you to pick up from the hospital to review.

If you have questions about an Advance Directive, please contact Rita, Social Services Director at 362-0440.

Forms:

Additional resources:

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services – State Unit on Aging

National Institute on Aging