Health care directive

A health care directive allows you to:

• appoint another person (called an agent) to make health care decisions for you if you become unable to make or communicate decisions for yourself
• leave written instructions so that others can make decisions based on your wishes and preferences 

Health care directive planning

Health care directive planning is a process to:

• Understand your health care treatment options
• Clarify your health care goals
• Weigh your options about what kind of care and treatment you do want or not want
• Make decisions about whom to name as a health care agent or complete a health care directive
• Communicate your wishes and any documents with your care circle and health care provider.

Remember: The most important thing about the health care directive is that you, your loved ones and doctor understand your wishes.

Review this information to help think through a health care directive and how to speak about it with your provider and loved ones:

• Talking with Your Health Care Provider When You Have A Serious Illness
• Talking With Your Clinician About the Future
• Talking About Your Illness With Loved Ones and Caregivers

Questions you might start thinking about now include:

• What if it becomes necessary for me to make other living arrangements?
• If I become unable to communicate, what do I want my loved ones to know about my health care wishes?
• Who do I want to have make decisions for me when I can't speak for myself?
• At what point would I want to say, "Enough is enough. I want to focus on comfort and quality of life?"
• What is hospice? Would I ever want to be part of a hospice program?
• Would I agree to an autopsy to help my family understand my cause of death?
• Do I want to become an organ donor?
• What are my preferences for funeral arrangements?

If you have a completed health care directive, provide a copy to each agent and your provider. Bring a copy of your directive to the hospital. It will be part of your medical chart.

Once a health care directive is written, it can be changed or revoked as long as you are able.

The following are resources to help you in the planning and completion of your health care directive: 

Make Your Choices Known: Your Guide to Completing a Health Care Directive

Health care directive — paper option

Print out and fill in the paper form:

Minnesota residents:

• English
• English – short form
• English – large print short form
• Hmong
• Somali
• Spanish
• Russian
• Vietnamese

Wisconsin residents:

• English
• Hmong
• Somali
• Spanish
• Russian
• Vietnamese

When you print the PDF, please print it one-sided. This document will be scanned into your electronic health record.

After you print the PDF and fill it out, have it signed by two witnesses (Minnesota or Wisconsin) or have it notarized by a notary public (Minnesota only). Then give copies to your health care provider and health care agent(s).

• A member of your health care team (such as a social worker, chaplain, home health or palliative care nurse) can help you prepare a health care directive.
• You do not need a lawyer to prepare a health care directive.
• Laws about health care directives (or advance directives) are not the same in all 50 U.S. states. If you spend a lot of time in or move to another state, find out if you need to fill out a new form.

State guidelines

• Minnesota statutes: Chapter 145C.16, Suggested health care directive form
• Minnesota Department of Health: Questions and answers about health care directives
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Advance directive forms and Wisconsin State Statute 154
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Questions and answers about advance directives
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Do-not-resuscitate Information (DNR bracelets)

These guides will help you and your loved ones plan for the future.

• Advance care planning FAQ
• Make Your Choices Known: Your Guide to Completing a Health Care Directive
• Advance care planning discussion guide
• CPR and advance care planning: What you need to know