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Life is full of uncertainties, and while we cannot control everything, we can take proactive steps to ensure our wishes are respected, especially regarding health care decisions. The Five Wishes document is a powerful tool that allows individuals to express their preferences about medical treatment, comfort, and emotional support in times of serious illness. This easy-to-complete form covers five essential areas: the person you designate to make health care decisions on your behalf, the specific medical treatments you want or do not want, your comfort preferences, how you wish to be treated by others, and important messages for your loved ones. Developed with insights from legal experts and health care professionals, Five Wishes not only serves as a living will but also addresses the personal and emotional aspects of end-of-life care. Valid in most states, this document empowers individuals aged 18 and older, regardless of their marital status or family structure, to communicate their desires clearly, alleviating the burden on family members who might otherwise struggle to guess what you would have wanted. With over 19 million users, Five Wishes has gained recognition as a compassionate guide in navigating the complexities of health care decisions, making it a vital resource for anyone looking to ensure their voice is heard when it matters most.

Document Specifics

Fact Name Description
Purpose The Five Wishes document allows individuals to express their personal, emotional, and spiritual needs, along with their medical wishes, in the event they become seriously ill.
Legal Validity This document is recognized as valid under the laws of most states, provided it is completed and signed according to state requirements.
Target Audience Anyone aged 18 or older, including married individuals, singles, parents, and friends, can utilize the Five Wishes document.
Health Care Agent Individuals can appoint a Health Care Agent to make health care decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so.
State-Specific Forms In the District of Columbia and 42 states, Five Wishes meets the legal requirements for advance directives.
Ease of Use The form is designed to be easy to complete, requiring users to check boxes, circle options, or write brief statements.
Changing Wishes To change a previous living will or durable power of attorney, individuals can complete a new Five Wishes document, which revokes any prior directives upon signing.

Similar forms

The Five Wishes document is a valuable tool for individuals to express their healthcare preferences. Several other documents serve similar purposes in helping people communicate their wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care. Here are six documents that share similarities with the Five Wishes document:

  • Living Will: A living will allows individuals to specify their preferences for medical treatment in case they become unable to communicate. Like Five Wishes, it focuses on medical decisions but may not address personal, emotional, or spiritual needs.
  • Nyc Apartment Registration Form: This form is crucial for landlords and property managers in New York City, collecting essential information about the apartment and its owner to ensure compliance with housing regulations. You can find more details at https://nytemplates.com/blank-nyc-apartment-registration-template/.
  • Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: This document designates a person to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. Similar to Five Wishes, it empowers someone to act in your best interest but may not include specific treatment preferences.
  • Advanced Directive: An advanced directive is a broader term that encompasses both living wills and durable powers of attorney. It provides guidance on healthcare decisions, much like Five Wishes, but may lack the personal touch of addressing emotional and spiritual concerns.
  • Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: A DNR order instructs medical personnel not to perform CPR if a person's heart stops. While it specifically addresses resuscitation, it shares the goal of ensuring that medical care aligns with an individual's wishes, similar to Five Wishes.
  • POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment): A POLST form is a medical order that outlines a patient's preferences for treatment in emergency situations. Like Five Wishes, it aims to communicate wishes to healthcare providers but is typically used in more urgent scenarios.
  • Health Care Proxy: This document appoints someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. While it overlaps with the durable power of attorney, it can be more focused on immediate medical decisions, akin to the decision-making aspect of Five Wishes.
Free 5 Wishes Document File

5 Wishes Document Example

FIVE

WISH S®

M Y W I S H F O R :

The Person I Want too Make Car1e Decisions for Me When I Can’t

The Kind of Medical Treat2ment I Want or Don’t Want

How Comfortable3 I Want to Be

How I Want People4 to Treat Me

What I Want My Loved5 Ones to Know

print your name

birthdate

Five Wishes

There are many things in life that are out of our hands. This Five Wishes document gives you a way to control somethingg very

important—how you are treated if you get seriously ill. It is ann easy-to- complete form that lets you say exactly what you want. Once it is filled out and properly signed it is valid under the laws off most states.

What Is Five Wishes?

Five Wishes is the first living will that talks about your personal, emotional and spiritual needs as well as your medical wishes. It lets you choose the person you want to make health care decisions for you if you are not able to make them for yourselff. Five Wishes

lets you say exactly how you wish to be

treated if you get seriously ill. It was written with the help of The American Bar

$VVRFLDWLRQ·V&RPPLVVLRQRQ/DZDQG$JLQJ DQGWKHQDWLRQ·VOHDGLQJH[SHUWVLQHQGRIOLIH FDUH,W·VDOVRHDV\WRXVH$OO\RXKDYHWRGRLV check a box, circle a direction, or write a few

sentences.

How Five Wishes Can Help You And Your Family

•

It lets

you talk with your family,

 

 

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frie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

without knowing your wishes.

 

 

nds and doctor about how you

 

 

wantt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to be treated if you become

• You can know what your mom, dad,

 

 

seriou

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sly ill.

 

 

 

 

spouse, or friend wants. You can be

•

 

Your family membe

rs will not have to

 

there for them when they need you

 

 

 

 

 

t. It protects them

most. You will understand what they

 

 

guess what you wan

 

 

 

ously ill, because

really want.

 

 

if you become seri

How Five Wishes Began

For 12 years, Jim Towey worked closely with Mother Teresa, and, for one year, he lived in a KRVSLFHVKHUDQLQ:DVKLQJWRQ'&,QVSLUHGE\ WKLVILUVWKDQGH[SHULHQFH0U7RZH\VRXJKWD way for patients and their families to plan ahead and to cope with serious illness. The result is

2Five Wishes and the response to it has been

RYHUZKHOPLQJ,WKDVEHHQIHDWXUHGRQ&11 DQG1%&·V7RGD\6KRZDQGLQWKHSDJHVRI Time and MoneyPDJD]LQHV1HZVSDSHUVKDYH called Five Wishes the first “living will with a heart and soul.” Today, Five Wishes is available in 27 languages.

Who Should Use Five Wishes

Five Wishes is for anyone 18 or older — married, single, parents, adult children, and friends. More than 19 million people of all ages have already used it. Because it

works so well, lawyers, doctors, hospitals and hospices, faith communities, employers, and retiree groups are handing outt this document.

Five Wishes States

If you live in the District of Columbia or one of the 42 states listed below, youu can use )LYH:LVKHVDQGKDYHWKHSHDFHRIPLQGWRNQRZWKDWLWVXEVWDQWLDOO\PHHWV\RXUVWDWH·V requirements under the law:

Alaska

Illinois

Montana

 

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Arizona

Iowa

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6RXWK'DNRWD

Arkansas

Kentucky

1HYDGDD

 

 

 

 

Tennessee

&DOLIRUQLD

/RXLVLDQD

1HZ-HUVH\

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vermont

 

 

&RORUDGR

Maine

1HZ0H[LFR

 

 

 

 

Virginia

 

 

&RQQHFWLFXW

Maryland

 

 

 

RUN

Washington

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Delaware

Massachusetts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

West Virginia

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Florida

Michigan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin

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Georgia

Minnesota

Oklahoma

 

 

 

Wyoming

Hawaii

Mississippi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pennsylvania

 

 

 

 

 

Idaho

Missouri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rhode Island

 

 

 

 

 

If your state is not one of the 42 states listed here, Five Wishes does not meet the technical UHTXLUHPHQWVLQWKHVWDWXWHVRI\RXUVWDWH6RVRPHGRFWRUVLQ\RXUVWDWHPD\EHUHOXFWDQW to honor Five Wishes. However, many people from states not on this list do complete Five :LVKHVDORQJZLWKWKHLUVWDWH·VOHJDOIRUP7KH\ILQGWKDW)LYH:LVKHVKHOSVWKHPH[SUHVV all that they want and provides a helpful guide to family members, friends, care givers and doctors. Most doctors and health care professionals know they need to listen to your wishes no matter how you express them.

How Do I Change To Five Wishes?

You may already have a living will or a durable power of attorney for health care. If you want to use Five Wishes instead, all you need to do is fill out and sign a new Five Wishes as directed. As soon as you sign it, it takes away any advance directive you had before. To make sure the right form is used, please do the following:

•

D

estroy all copies of your old living will

•

7HOO\RXU+HDOWK&DUH$JHQWIDPLO\

 

or durable power of attorney for health

 

members, and doctor that you have

 

care. Or you can write “revoked” in large

 

filled out a new Five Wishes.

 

letters across the copy you have. Tell

 

Make sure they know about your

 

your lawyer if he or she helped prepare

 

new wishes.

 

those old forms for you. AND

 

 

3

WISH 1

The Person I Want To Make Health Care Decisions For Me

When I Can’t Make Them For Myself.

f I am no longer able to make my own health care

 

 

 

• My attending or treating doctor finds I am no

I decisions, this form names the person I choose to

 

 

 

 

longer able to make health ca

 

es, AND

 

 

 

 

re choic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E

 

 

 

 

make these choices for me. This person will be my

 

 

 

• Another health care profe

ssional agrees

t

hat

Health Care Agent (or other term that may be used in

 

 

 

 

this is true.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MPLE

my state, such as proxy, representative, or surrogate).

 

 

If my state has a different

 

w

ay of finding that I am not

 

This person will make my health care choices if both

 

 

able to make health c

 

are choices, then my state’s way

 

of these things happen:

 

 

 

should be followe

d.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Person I Choose As My Health Care Agent Is:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Choice Name

 

 

Ph

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

one

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City/State/Zip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If this person is not able or willing to make thesee choices for me, OR is divorced or legally separated from me, OR this person has died, then these people aree my next choices:

Second Choice Name

 

 

 

 

 

e

 

Third Choice Nam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address

 

A

 

 

 

 

 

 

ddress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City/State/Zip

 

 

City/State/Zip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phone

 

Phone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picking The R

 

Your Health Care Agent

 

ight Person To Be

 

 

 

 

 

&KRRVHVRPHRQHZKRNQRZV\RXYHU\ZHOO

DQGIROORZ\RXUZLVKHV<RXU+HDOWK&DUH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

can make difficult

Agent should be at least 18 years or older (in

cares about you, and who

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ily member may

&RORUDGR\HDUVRUROGHUDQGVKRXOGnot be:

decisions. A spouse or fam

 

not be the best choice because they are too

 

 

•

Your health care provider, including the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YHG6RPHWLPHVWKH\are the

 

 

 

HPRWLRQDOO\LQYRO

 

 

 

 

 

owner or operator of a health or residential

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EHVWFKRLFH<RX

NQRZEHVW&KRRVHVRPHRQH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or community care facility serving you.

w

ho is able to stand up for you so that your

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

wishes are followed. Also, choose someone who

 

 

•

An employee or spouse of an employee of

is likely to be nearby so that they can help when

 

 

 

 

your health care provider.

you need them. Whether you choose a spouse,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAMIDPLO\PHPEHURUIULHQGDV\RXU+HDOWK&DUH

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Agent, make sure you talk about these wishes

 

 

 

 

more people unless he or she is your

and be sure that this person agrees to respect

 

 

 

 

spouse or close relative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

I understand that my Health Care Agent can make health care decisions for me. I want my Agent to be able to do the

following: (Please cross out anything you don’t want your Agent to do that is listed below.)

•

Make choices for me about my medical care

‡

6HH DQGDSSURYHUHOHDVHRIP\PHGLFDOUHFRUGV

 

or services, like tests, medicine, or surgery.

 

and personal files. If I need to sign my name to

 

This care or service could be to find out what my

 

JHWDQ\RIWKHVHILOHVP\+HDOW

 

$JHQWFDQ

 

 

K&DUH

 

health problem is, or how to treat it. It can also

 

sign it for me.

 

include care to keep me alive. If the treatment or

•

Move me to another

 

 

 

 

 

FDUHKDVDOUHDG\VWDUWHGP\+HDOWK&DUHAgent

state to get the care I need

 

 

 

or to carry out m

y wishes.

 

can keep it going or have it stopped.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

•Interpret any instructions I have given in

this form or given in other discussions, according

WRP\+HDOWK&DUH$JHQW·VXQGHUVWDQGLQJRIP\ wishes and values.

‡ &RQVHQWWRDGPLVVLRQWRDQDVVLVWHGOLYLQJIDFLOLW\ hospital, hospice, or nursing home for me. My +HDOWK&DUH$JHQWFDQKLUHDQ\NLQGRIKHDOWK care worker I may need to help me or take care of me. My Agent may also fire a health care worker, if needed.

•Make the decision to request, take away or not

JLYHPHGLFDOWUHDWPHQWVLQFOXGLQJDUWLILFLDOO\ provided food and water, andd any other treatments to keepp me alive.

•Authorize or refuse to authorize any medication or procedure needed to help with pain.

•Take any legal action needed to carry out my wishes.

•Donate useable organs or tissues of mine as allowed by law.

• Apply for Medicare, Medicaid, or other programs RULQVXUDQFHEHQHILWVIRUPH0\+HDOWK&DUH Agent can see my personal files, like bank records, to find out what is needed to fill out these forms.

‡ /LVWHGEHORZDUHDQ\FKDQJHVDGGLWLRQVRU OLPLWDWLRQVRQP\+HDOWK&DUH$JHQW·VSRZHUV

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

If I Change My Mind About Having A Health Care Agent, I Will

•

Destroy all copies of this part of the

• Write the word “Revoked” in large

 

Five Wishes form. OR

letters across the name of each agent

• Tell someone, such as my doctor or

whose authority I want to cancel.

6LJQP\QDPHRQWKDWSDJH

 

family, that I want to cancel or change

 

 

 

P\+HDOWK&DUH$JHQWOR

 

5

WISH 2

My Wish For The Kind Of Medical Treatment

I Want Or Don’t Want.

I b elieve that my life is precious and I deserve to be treated with dignity. When the timee comes that

I am very sick and am not able to speak for myself, I want the following wishes, and any other directions I have given to my Health Care Agent, to be respected and followed.

What You Should Keep In Mind As My Caregiver

•I do not want to be in pain. I want my doctor to give me enough medicine to relieve my pain, even if that means that I will be drowsy or sleep more than I would otherwise.

•I do nott want anything done or omitted by my doctors or nurses with the intention of taking my life.

•I want to be offered food and fluids by mouth, and kept clean and warm.

What “Life-Support Treatment” Means To Me

/LIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWPHDQVDQ\PHGLFDOSURFH dure, device or medication to keep me alive.

/LIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWLQFOXGHVPHGLFDO devices put in me to help me breathe; food and ZDWHUVXSSOLHGE\PHGLFDOGHYLFHWXEHIHHGLQJ FDUGLRSXOPRQDU\UHVXVFLWDWLRQ&35PDMRU surgery; blood transfusions; dialysis; antibiotics;

and anything else meant to keep me alive.

,I,ZLVKWROLPLWWKHPHDQLQJRIOLIHVXSSRUW treatment because of my religious or personal beliefs, I write this limitation in the space below. I do this to make very clear what I want and under what conditions.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

In Case Of An Emergency

Iff you have a medical emergency and ambulance personnel arrive, they may look to see if you have a Do Not Resuscitate form or bracelet. Many states require a person to have a Do Not Resuscitate form filled out and

signed by a doctor. This form lets ambulance SHUVRQQHONQRZWKDW\RXGRQ·WZDQWWKHPWRXVH OLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWZKHQ\RXDUHG\LQJ3OHDVH check with your doctor to see if you need to have a Do Not Resuscitate form filled out.

6

Here is the kind of medical treatment that I want or don’t want in the four situations listed below. I want my Health Care Agent, my family, my doctors and other health care providers, my friends and all others to know these directions.

Close to death:

If my doctor and another health care professional both decide that I am likely to die within a short period of WLPHDQGOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWZRXOGRQO\GHOD\WKH PRPHQWRIP\GHDWK&KRRVHoneRIWKHIROORZLQJ

❏ ,ZDQWWRKDYHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW

❏ , GRQRWZDQWOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW,ILWKDV been started, I want it stopped.

❏,ZDQWWRKDYHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWLIP\GRFWRU believes it could help. But I want my doctor to

VWRSJLYLQJPHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWLILWLVQRW helping my health condition or symptoms.

In A Coma And Not Expected Too Wake Up Or Recover:

If my doctor and another health care professional both decide that I am in a coma from which I am not expected WRZDNHXSRUUHFRYHUDQG,KDYHEUDLQGDPDJHDQGOLIH support treatment would only delay the moment of my GHDWK&KRRVHoneRIWKHIROORZLQJ

❏ ,ZDQWWRKDYHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW

❏ , GRQRWZDQWOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW,ILWKDV been started, I want it stopped.

❏,ZDQWWRKDYHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWLIP\GRFWRU believes it could help. But I want my doctor to

VWRSJLYLQJPHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWLILWLVQRW helping my health condition or symptoms.

Permanent And Severe Brain Damage And Not Expected To Recover:

If my doctor and another health care professional both decide that I have permanentt and severe brain damage,

(for example, I can open myy eyes, but I can not speak RUXQGHUVWDQGDQG,DPQRWH[SHFWHGWRJHWEHWWHUDQG OLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWZRXOGRQO\GHOD\WKHPRPHQWRI P\GHDWK&KRRVHoneRIWKHIROORZLQJ

❏ ,ZDQWWRKDYHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW

❏ ,GRQRWZDQWOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW,ILWKDV been started, I want it stopped.

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VWRSJLYLQJPHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWLILWLVQRW helping my health condition or symptoms.

In Another Condition Under Which I Do Not Wish To Be Kept Alive:

If there is another condition under which I do not wish WRKDYHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW,GHVFULEHLWEHORZ,Q this condition, I believe that the costs and burdens of

OLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWDUHWRRPXFKDQGQRWZRUWKWKH benefits to me. Therefore, in this condition, I do not want OLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW)RUH[DPSOH\RXPD\ZULWH ´HQGVWDJHFRQGLWLRQµ7KDWPHDQVWKDW\RXUKHDOWKKDV gotten worse. You are not able to take care of yourself in DQ\ZD\PHQWDOO\RUSK\VLFDOO\/LIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW will not help you recover. Please leave the space blank if \RXKDYHQRRWKHUFRQGLWLRQWRGHVFULEH

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

7

Th e next three wishes deal with my personal, spiritual and emotional wishes. They are important to me. I want to be treated with dignity near the end of my life, so I would like people to do the things

written in Wishes 3, 4, and 5 when they can be done. I understand that my family, my doctors and other health care providers, my friends, and others may not be able to do these things or are not required by law to do these things. I do not expect the following wishes to place new or added legal duties on my doctors or other health care providers. I also do not expect these wishes to excuse my doctor or other health care providers from giving mee the proper care asked for by law.

WISH 3

My Wish For How Comfortable I Want To Bee.

(Please cross out anything that you don’t agree with.)

•I do not want to be in pain. I want my doctor to give me enough medicine to relieve my pain, even if that means I will be drowsy or sleep more than I would otherwise.

•If I show signs of depression, nausea, shortness of breath, or hallucinations, I want my care givers to do whatever they can to help me.

•I wish to have a cool moist cloth put onn my head if I have a fever.

•I want my lips and mouth kept moist to stop dryness.

•I wish to have warm baths often. I wish to be kept fresh and clean at all times.

•I wishh to be massaged with warm oils as often as I can be.

•I wish to have my favorite music played when possible until my time of death.

•I wish to have personal care like shaving, nail clipping, hair brushing, and teeth brushing, as long as they do not cause me pain or discomfort.

‡ ,ZLVKWRKDYHUHOLJLRXVUHDGLQJVDQGZHOO loved poems read aloud when I am near death.

•I wish to know about options for hospice care to provide medical, emotional and spiritual care for me and my loved ones.

WISH 4

My Wish For How I Want People To Treat Me.

(Please cross out anything that you don’t agree with.)

•I wish to have people with me when possible. I want someone to be with me when it seems that death may come at any time.

•I wish to have my hand held and to be talked

WRZKHQSRVVLEOHHYHQLI,GRQ·WVHHPWR respond to the voice or touch of others.

•I wish to have others by my side praying for me when possible.

•I wish to have the members of my faith community told that I am sick and asked to pray for me and visit me.

•I wish to be cared for with kindness and cheerfulness, and not sadness.

•I wish to have pictures of my loved ones in my room, near my bed.

•If I am not able to control my bowel or bladder functions, I wish for my clothes and bed linens to be kept clean, and for them to be changed as soon as they can be if they have been soiled.

•I want to die in my home, if that can be done.

8

WISH 5

My Wish For What I Want My Loved Ones To Know.

(Please cross out anything that you don’t agree with.)

•I wish to have my family and friends know that I love them.

•I wish to be forgiven for the times I have hurt my family, friends, and others.

•I wish to have my family, friends and others know that I forgive them for when they may have hurt me in my life.

•I wish for my family and friends to know that I do not fear death itself. I think it is not the end, but a new beginning for me.

•I wish for all of my family members to make peace with each other before my death, if they can.

•I wish for my family and friends to think about what I was like before I became seriously ill. I want them too remember me in this way after my death.

•I wish for my family and friends and caregivers to respect my wishes even if

WKH\GRQ·WDJUHHZLWKWKHP

•I wish for my family and friends to look at my dying as a time of personal growth for everyone, including me. This will help me livee a meaningful life in my final days.

•I wish for my family and friends to get counseling if they have trouble with my death. I want memories of my life to give

WKHPMR\DQGQRWVRUURZ

•After my death, I would like my body to

EHFLUFOHRQHEXULHGRUFUHPDWHG

•My body or remains should be put in the

 

following

location

.

•The following person knows my funeral

wishes:.

If anyone asks how I want to be remembered, please say the following about me:

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

If there is to bee a memorial service for me, I wish for this service to include the following

OLVWPXVLFVRQJVUHDGLQJVRURWKHUVSHFLILFUHTXHVWVWKDW\RXKDYH

_________________________________________________________________________________

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(Please use the space below for any other wishes. For example, you may want to donate any or all parts of your body when you die. You may also wish to designate a charity to receive memorial contributions. Please attach a VH DUDWHVKHHWRI D HULI\RXQHHGPRUHVSDFH

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9

Signing The Five Wishes Form

Please make sure you sign your Five Wishes form in the presence of the two witnesses.

I, _________________________________, ask that my family, my doctors, and other health care providers,

P\IULHQGVDQGDOORWKHUVIROORZP\ZLVKHVDVFRPPXQLFDWHGE\P\+HDOWK&DUH$JHQWLI,KDYHRQHDQGKH RUVKHLVDYDLODEOHRUDVRWKHUZLVHH[SUHVVHGLQWKLVIRUP7KLVIRUPEHFRPHVYDOLGZKHQ,DPXQDEOHWRPDNH decisions or speak for myself. If any part of this form cannot be legally followed, I ask that all other parts of this form be followed. I also revoke any health care advance directives I have made before.

Signature:

 

 

___

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phone:

Date:

 

 

__

Witness Statement • (2 witnesses needed):

,WKHZLWQHVVGHFODUHWKDWWKHSHUVRQZKRVLJQHGRUDFNQRZOHGJHGWKLVIRUPKHUHDIWHU´SHUVRQµLVSHUVRQDOO\NQRZQWR PHWKDWKHVKHVLJQHGRUDFNQRZOHGJHGWKLV>+HDOWK&DUH$JHQWDQGRU/LYLQJ:LOOIRUPV@LQP\SUHVHQFHDQGWKDWKHVKH appears to be of sound mind and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence.

,DOVRGHFODUHWKDW,DPRYHU\HDUVRIDJHDQGDP127

•The individual appointed as (agent/proxy/

VXUURJDWHSDWLHQWDGYRFDWHUHSUHVHQWDWLYHE\ this document or his/her successor,

•7KHSHUVRQ·VKHDOWKFDUHSURYLGHULQFOXGLQJ RZQHURURSHUDWRURIDKHDOWKORQJWHUPFDUH or other residential or community care facility serving the person,

•$QHPSOR\HHRIWKHSHUVRQ·VKHDOWKFDUH provider,

•)LQDQFLDOO\UHVSRQVLEOHIRUWKHSHUVRQ·V health care,

•An employee of a life or health insurance provider for the person,

•Related to the person by blood, marriage, or adoption, and,

•To the best of my knowledge, a creditor of the person or entitled to any part of his/her estate under a will or codicil, by operation of law.

(Some states may have fewer rules about who may be a witness. Unless you know your state’s rules, please follow the above.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness #2

#1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Printed Name of Witn

 

 

 

 

 

Printed Name of Witness

ess

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address

 

Address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phone

Phone

 

 

Notarization • Only required for residents of Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia

•If you live in Missouri, only your signature should be notarized.

•,I\RXOLYHLQ1RUWK&DUROLQD6RXWK&DUROLQDRU:HVW9LUJLQLD you should have your signature, and the signatures of your witnesses, notarized.

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2QWKLVBBBBBGD\RIBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBWKHVDLGBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBDQGBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBNQRZQWRPHRUVDWLVIDFWRULO\SURYHQWREHWKHSHUVRQQDPHGLQWKH IRUHJRLQJLQVWUXPHQWDQGZLWQHVVHVUHVSHFWLYHO\SHUVRQDOO\DSSHDUHGEHIRUHPHD1RWDU\3XEOLFZLWKLQDQGIRUWKH6WDWHDQG&RXQW\DIRUHVDLGDQG acknowledged that they freely and voluntarily executed the same for the purposes stated therein.

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10

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Understanding 5 Wishes Document

What is the Five Wishes document?

The Five Wishes document is a living will that addresses not only medical wishes but also personal, emotional, and spiritual needs. It allows individuals to specify who they want to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so. This document is designed to facilitate conversations about end-of-life care and ensure that one's wishes are respected in times of serious illness.

Who should consider using the Five Wishes document?

Anyone aged 18 or older can benefit from the Five Wishes document. This includes married individuals, singles, parents, adult children, and friends. More than 19 million people across various demographics have utilized this document, making it a widely accepted tool for advance care planning.

How does Five Wishes differ from other advance directives?

Unlike traditional living wills, which often focus solely on medical treatments, Five Wishes encompasses a broader range of concerns. It addresses personal comfort, emotional support, and how individuals wish to be treated by others. This holistic approach makes it unique and more relatable for those making these important decisions.

Is the Five Wishes document legally valid?

Yes, once completed and signed, the Five Wishes document is valid in most states across the U.S., including the District of Columbia. It is crucial to ensure that it meets the legal requirements of your specific state. The document has been designed to comply with state laws, making it a reliable option for advance care planning.

What steps do I need to take to complete the Five Wishes document?

Completing the Five Wishes document is straightforward. You simply fill out the form, specifying your healthcare agent and your wishes regarding medical treatment and personal care. After signing it, make sure to share copies with your healthcare agent, family members, and your doctor. This ensures that everyone is aware of your preferences.

Can I change my Five Wishes document once it is completed?

Yes, you can change your Five Wishes document at any time. If you decide to use a different advance directive or simply wish to update your wishes, you should fill out a new Five Wishes form. Be sure to destroy any previous copies and inform your healthcare agent and family about the changes to avoid confusion.

What happens if I do not have a Five Wishes document?

If you do not have a Five Wishes document or any advance directive, your healthcare decisions may be made by family members or medical professionals without your input. This can lead to difficult choices being made without knowledge of your preferences, potentially resulting in care that does not align with your values or wishes.

How can Five Wishes help my family during a health crisis?

Five Wishes provides clarity and guidance during challenging times. By outlining your preferences, it alleviates the burden on family members who might otherwise struggle to make decisions on your behalf. This document fosters open communication, ensuring that your loved ones understand your desires, which can provide them with peace of mind during difficult moments.

Is Five Wishes available in multiple languages?

Yes, the Five Wishes document is available in 27 languages, making it accessible to a diverse population. This wide availability helps ensure that individuals from various backgrounds can express their healthcare wishes clearly and effectively.

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the Five Wishes Document form, it's important to follow certain guidelines to ensure your wishes are clearly communicated. Here’s a list of things you should and shouldn't do:

  • Do read the entire form carefully before starting.
  • Do choose someone you trust as your Health Care Agent.
  • Do discuss your wishes with your chosen Health Care Agent.
  • Do provide clear and specific instructions regarding your medical treatment preferences.
  • Do sign and date the form in the presence of a witness, if required by your state.
  • Don't rush through the form; take your time to think about your decisions.
  • Don't choose a Health Care Agent who may have conflicting interests, like your doctor.
  • Don't leave any sections blank; fill out all required information.
  • Don't forget to inform your family and healthcare providers about your wishes.
  • Don't ignore state-specific requirements that may affect the validity of the form.

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