Advance Directives is a general term that refers to three kinds of documents:  Living Will, Durable (Special) Power of Attorney for Health Care, and Treatment Preference Forms.

Living Will:  You define your wishes for your care should you be unable to speak for yourself.

Durable Power of Attorney:  You name a person to make decisions for your health care if you are unable to.

Treatment Preference Form:  You make specific care choices in advance.

It is best if you complete this set of documents in an outpatient setting when you are feeling well.  To obtain and complete a set of forms, contact a VA social worker on your inpatient unit or contact the VA Patient Services Center at (801) 584-5626 for a referral.

If you are admitted to the VA Medical Center, you will be asked if you have an Advanced Directive on file.  The Medical Center social workers have these forms available for you to further explain your wishes.  For example, you may specify that if you become permanently unconscious, food and fluids should be withdrawn.  This information will help make specific decisions about your future medical treatment.

Your decision to complete an Advanced Directive is voluntary.  Having a Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney on record will not affect your benefits or the quality of care you receive.  You may change your mind about a directive by destroying the original, by completing a new form or by verbally stating your intent to cancel your previous directive.

VA patients who wish to complete an Advance Directive are encouraged to use VA forms.  However, the VA will honor a state-authorized form if it conforms to state law and does not conflict with VA policy.

If you need more information about Advance Directives or help in making decisions about life support, contact the social worker for your clinic or inpatient unit.