Completing Your Advance Directive

Making Decisions

Most people do not like to think about their own death, so they resist making advance preparations. But with today's advanced medical technology, a person can be kept alive by artificial measures (life support) more or less indefinitely. Some people want to cling to life at any cost; others would not want to linger for months or years while attached to invasive machines if there is no hope of getting better. Decisions vary according to a person's values and beliefs. If you are not able to communicate, and you have not made your wishes known in advance, someone else will make the decision for you.   

Deciding about what treatment or care you would want under what circumstances can be difficult. To learn more about these treatments and decisions, you can talk to your doctor.

Caring Connections, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) is a good source of information.   If you are in Santa Cruz County, you can contact the Santa Cruz County End-of-Life Coalition to request free counseling.

To learn more about Advance Directives and Advance Care Planning, click on the Calendar for public presentations being offered in Santa Cruz County.

Choosing an Advance Directive

There are many versions of Advance Directives available. They all include a place for you to state your wishes about end-of-life care, and to choose an agent who can speak for you if you are not able. You can download an Advance Directive for California here. You can also download a copy of the accepted Advance Directive form for your state by going to the Caring Connections website. However, most states do not limit you to a specific form. Some Advance Directive documents are in the form of a workbook that leads the person through the different options with explanations and suggestions to help with making decisions and clarifying your values about the end of life. One popular directive is called Five Wishes , which is legal in California and most other states and is available by mail from Aging with Dignity.

In Santa Cruz County, you can get help filling out your directive or obtain a copy of Five Wishes by contacting us.

Choosing an Agent

Choosing an agent to represent you when critical health care decisions are made is important. The person can be a spouse, an adult child or close friend. Choose someone you trust to know and carry out your wishes, someone who will stand up to doctors or family members who may not agree with them. You can also name an alternate, should the first person be unwilling, unable, or unavailable when needed. Before designating an agent, be sure the person is clear on your preferences and is willing to take the responsibility.  

Continue to: Maintaining your Advance Directive