Advance Directives

What are Advance Directives?

"Advance directive" is a general term that refers to a person's verbal and written instructions about future medical care, in the event that the person becomes unable to speak for him or herself. Each state regulates the use of advance directives differently. There are several types of advance directives available in Ohio: the Living Will, Health Care Power of Attorney , Ohio's Do-Not-Resuscitate law, and Organ and Tissue Donation.

The Ohio Hospice & Palliative Care Organization provides information in a packet entitled Choices: Living Well at the end of Life. Each end-of-life option available in Ohio is discussed. Instructions and forms for completing Ohio's Living Will, Ohio's Health Care Power of Attorney, and a uniform organ donor card are also in this packet. To view and/or print the Advance Directives packet, click here.

To download a comprehensive list of Advanced Directives frequently asked questions, click here.