Homepage Free California Advanced Health Care Directive Template
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The California Advanced Health Care Directive is a crucial document that empowers individuals to make decisions about their medical care in advance, ensuring that their wishes are respected when they can no longer communicate them. This directive combines two essential components: the appointment of a health care agent and the specification of individual health care preferences. By designating a trusted person to act on their behalf, individuals can ensure that their values and desires guide their medical treatment. Additionally, the form allows individuals to outline specific instructions regarding life-sustaining treatments, pain management, and other critical health care decisions. This comprehensive approach not only provides clarity for medical professionals but also alleviates the emotional burden on family members during challenging times. Understanding the nuances of this directive is vital for anyone looking to safeguard their health care choices in California.

Document Specifics

Fact Name Description
Purpose The California Advanced Health Care Directive allows individuals to specify their health care preferences and appoint an agent to make medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so.
Governing Law This directive is governed by the California Probate Code, specifically Sections 4600 to 4806.
Agent Appointment Individuals can appoint a trusted person as their health care agent to make decisions regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care.
Signature Requirements The form must be signed by the individual and either witnessed by two adults or notarized to be legally valid.
Revocation Individuals can revoke their directive at any time, provided they communicate their wishes clearly, either verbally or in writing.
Health Care Preferences The form allows individuals to outline specific health care preferences, including treatments they would or would not want in various medical situations.
Durable Power of Attorney This directive also serves as a durable power of attorney for health care, ensuring that the appointed agent's authority remains effective even if the individual becomes incapacitated.
Accessibility The California Advanced Health Care Directive form is available online and can be easily downloaded, filled out, and printed for use.

Similar forms

  • Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: This document allows individuals to appoint someone to make medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so. Like the Advanced Health Care Directive, it emphasizes the importance of personal choice in health care matters.
  • Living Will: A living will outlines specific wishes regarding medical treatment in end-of-life situations. It shares similarities with the Advanced Health Care Directive by expressing the individual’s preferences for life-sustaining measures.
  • Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: A DNR order instructs medical personnel not to perform CPR if a person stops breathing or their heart stops. This document aligns with the Advanced Health Care Directive in prioritizing the patient’s wishes regarding emergency interventions.
  • Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST): POLST is a medical order that reflects a patient's preferences for treatment in a medical crisis. Similar to the Advanced Health Care Directive, it is designed to ensure that the patient’s wishes are honored in urgent situations.
  • Health Care Proxy: This document designates a person to make health care decisions on behalf of another individual. It is akin to the Advanced Health Care Directive in that both focus on appointing a trusted individual to advocate for the patient’s health care choices.
  • Notice to Quit: Essential for landlords, the Notice to Quit formally informs tenants of the need to vacate the property, aligning with their legal rights, as detailed at nytemplates.com/blank-notice-to-quit-template.
  • Organ Donation Registration: This document expresses an individual’s wishes regarding organ donation after death. While it serves a different purpose, it aligns with the Advanced Health Care Directive by allowing individuals to communicate their preferences regarding medical decisions.

California Advanced Health Care Directive Example

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM

 

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Probate Code - PROB

DIVISION 4.7. HEALTH CARE DECISIONS [4600 - 4806] ( Division 4.7 added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 658, Sec. 39. ) PART 2. UNIFORM HEALTH CARE DECISIONS ACT [4670 - 4743] ( Part 2 added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 658, Sec. 39. )

CHAPTER 2. Advance Health Care Directive Forms [4700 - 4701] ( Chapter 2 added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 658, Sec. 39. )

4701. The statutory advance health care directive form is as follows:

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE

(California Probate Code Section 4701)

Explanation

You have the right to give instructions about your own health care. You also have the right to name someone else to make health care decisions for you. This form lets you do either or both of these things. It also lets you express your wishes regarding donation of organs and the designation of your primary physician. If you use this form, you may complete or modify all or any part of it. You are free to use a different form.

Part 1 of this form is a power of attorney for health care. Part 1 lets you name another individual as agent to make health care decisions for you if you become incapable of making your own decisions or if you want someone else to make those decisions for you now even though you are still capable. You may also name an alternate agent to act for you if your first choice is not willing, able, or reasonably available to make decisions for you. (Your agent may not be an operator or employee of a community care facility or a residential care facility where you are receiving care, or your supervising health care provider or employee of the health care institution where you are receiving care, unless your agent is related to you or is a coworker.)

Unless the form you sign limits the authority of your agent, your agent may make all health care decisions for you. This form has a place for you to limit the authority of your agent. You need not limit the authority of your agent if you wish to rely on your agent for all health care decisions that may have to be made. If you choose not to limit the authority of your agent, your agent will have the right to:

(a)Consent or refuse consent to any care, treatment, service, or procedure to maintain, diagnose, or otherwise affect a physical or mental condition.

(b)Select or discharge health care providers and institutions.

(c)Approve or disapprove diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, and programs of medication.

(d)Direct the provision, withholding, or withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration and all other forms of health care, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

(e)Donate your organs, tissues, and parts, authorize an autopsy, and direct disposition of remains.

Part 2 of this form lets you give specific instructions about any aspect of your health care, whether or not you appoint an agent. Choices are provided for you to express your wishes regarding the provision, withholding, or withdrawal of treatment to keep you alive, as well as the provision of pain relief. Space is also provided for you to add to the choices you have made or for you to write out any additional wishes. If you are satisfied to allow your agent to determine what is best for you in making end-of-life decisions, you need not fill out Part 2 of this form.

Part 3 of this form lets you express an intention to donate your bodily organs, tissues, and parts following your death.

Part 4 of this form lets you designate a physician to have primary responsibility for your health care.

After completing this form, sign and date the form at the end. The form must be signed by two qualified witnesses or acknowledged before a notary public. Give a copy of the signed and completed form to your physician, to any other health care providers you may have, to any health care institution at which you are receiving care, and to any health care agents you have named. You should talk to the person you have named as agent to make sure that he or she understands your wishes and is willing to take the responsibility.

You have the right to revoke this advance health care directive or replace this form at any time.

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM

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PART 1

POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE

(1.1) DESIGNATION OF AGENT: I designate the following individual as my agent to make health care decisions for me:

(name of individual you choose as agent)

(address)

(city)

(state)

(ZIP Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(home phone)

(work phone)

 

 

OPTIONAL: If I revoke my agent's authority or if my agent is not willing, able, or reasonably available to make a health care decision for me, I designate as my first alternate agent:

(name of individual you choose as first alternate agent)

(address)

(city)

(state)

(ZIP Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(home phone)

(work phone)

 

 

OPTIONAL: If I revoke the authority of my agent and first alternate agent or if neither is willing, able, or reasonably available to make a health care decision for me, I designate as my second alternate agent:

(name of individual you choose as second alternate agent)

(address)

(city)

(state)

(ZIP Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(home phone)

(work phone)

 

 

(1.2) AGENT'S AUTHORITY: My agent is authorized to make all health care decisions for me, including decisions to provide, withhold, or withdraw artificial nutrition and hydration and all other forms of health care to keep me alive, except as I state here:

(Add additional sheets if needed.)

(1.3) WHEN AGENT'S AUTHORITY BECOMES EFFECTIVE: My agent's authority becomes effective when my primary physician determines that I am unable to make my own health care decisions unless I mark the following box.

If I mark this box , my agent's authority to make health care decisions for me takes effect immediately.

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM

PAGE 3 of 7

(1.4.) AGENT'S OBLIGATION: My agent shall make health care decisions for me in accordance with this power of attorney for health care, any instructions I give in Part 2 of this form, and my other wishes to the extent known to my agent. To the extent my wishes are unknown, my agent shall make health care decisions for me in accordance with what my agent determines to be in my best interest. In determining my best interest, my agent shall consider my personal values to the extent known to my agent.

(1.5) AGENT'S POSTDEATH AUTHORITY: My agent is authorized to donate my organs, tissues, and parts, authorize an autopsy, and direct disposition of my remains, except as I state here or in Part 3 of this form:

:

(Add additional sheets if needed.)

(1.6) NOMINATION OF CONSERVATOR: If a conservator of my person needs to be appointed for me by a court, I nominate the agent designated in this form. If that agent is not wiling, able, or reasonably available to act as conservator, I nominate the alternate agents whom I have named, in the order designated.

PART 2

INSTRUCTIONS FOR HEALTH CARE

If you fill out this part of the form, you may strike any wording you do not want.

(2.1) END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS: I direct that my health care providers and others involved in my care provide, withhold, or withdraw treatment in accordance with the choice I have marked below:

(a) Choice Not to Prolong Life

I do not want my life to be prolonged if (1) I have an incurable and irreversible condition that will result in my death within a relatively short time, (2) I become unconscious and, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, I will not regain consciousness, or (3) the likely risks and burdens of treatment would outweigh the expected benefits, OR

(b) Choice to Prolong Life

I want my life to be prolonged as long as possible within the limits of generally accepted health care standards.

(2.2) RELIEF FROM PAIN: Except as I state in the following space, I direct that treatment for alleviation of pain or discomfort be provided at all times, even if it hastens my death:

(Add additional sheets if needed.)

(2.3) OTHER WISHES: (If you do not agree with any of the optional choices above and wish to write your own, or if you wish to add to the instructions you have given above, you may do so here.) I direct that:

(Add additional sheets if needed.)

 

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM

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PART 3

 

 

DONATION OF ORGANS, TISSUES, AND PARTS AT DEATH

 

 

(OPTIONAL)

 

(3.1)

Upon my death, I give my organs, tissues, and parts (mark box to indicate yes).

 

By checking the box above, and notwithstanding my choice in Part 2 of this form, I authorize my agent to consent to any temporary medical procedure necessary solely to evaluate and/or maintain my organs, tissues, and/or parts for purposes of donation.

My donation is for the following purposes (strike any of the following you do not want):

(a)Transplant

(b)Therapy

(c)Research

(d)Education

If you want to restrict your donation of an organ, tissue, or part in some way, please state your restriction on the following lines:

If I leave this part blank, it is not a refusal to make a donation. My state-authorized donor registration should be followed, or, if none, my agent may make a donation upon my death. If no agent is named above, I acknowledge that California law permits an authorized individual to make such a decision on my behalf. (To state any limitation, preference, or instruction regarding donation, please use the lines above or in Section 1.5 of this form).

PART 4

PRIMARY PHYSICIAN

(OPTIONAL)

(4.1) I designate the following physician as my primary physician:

(name of physician)

(address)

(city)

(state)

(ZIP Code)

(phone)

OPTIONAL: If the physician I have designated above is not willing, able, or reasonably available to act as my primary physician, I designate the following physician as my primary physician:

(name of physician)

(address)

(city)

(state)

(ZIP Code)

(phone)

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM

PART 5

PAGE 5 of 7

(5.1) EFFECT OF COPY: A copy of this form has the same effect as the original.

(5.2) SIGNATURE: Sign and date the form here:

(date)

(sign your name)

(address)

(print your name)

(city) (state)

(5.3) STATEMENT OF WITNESSES: I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of California (1) that the individual who signed or acknowledged this advance health care directive is personally known to me, or that the individual's identity was proven to me by convincing evidence (2) that the individual signed or acknowledged this advance directive in my presence, (3) that the individual appears to be of sound mind and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence, (4) that I am not a person appointed as agent by this advance directive, and (5) that I am not the individual's health care provider, an employee of the individual's health care provider, the operator of a community care facility, an employee of an operator of a community care facility, the operator of a residential care facility for the elderly, nor an employee of an operator of a residential care facility for the elderly.

First witness

Second witness

(print name)

(address)

(city)(state)

(print name)

(address)

(city)(state)

(signature of witness)

(signature of witness)

(date)

(date)

(5.4) ADDITIONAL STATEMENT OF WITNESSES: At least one of the above witnesses must also sign the following declaration:

I further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of California that I am not related to the individual executing this advance health care directive by blood, marriage, or adoption, and to the best of my knowledge, I am not entitled to any part of the individual's estate upon his or her death under a will now existing or by operation of law.

(signature of witness)

(signature of witness)

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM

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PART 6

SPECIAL WITNESS REQUIREMENT

(6.1) The following statement is required only if you are a patient in a skilled nursing facility--a health care facility that provides the following basic services: skilled nursing care and supportive care to patients whose primary need is for availability of skilled nursing care on an extended basis. The patient advocate or ombudsman must sign the following statement:

STATEMENT OF PATIENT ADVOCATE OR OMBUDSMAN

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of California that I am a patient advocate or ombudsman as designated by the State Department of Aging and that I am serving as a witness as required by Section 4675 of the Probate Code.

(date)

(sign your name)

(address)

(print your name)

(city) (state)

 

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 287, Sec. 1. (AB 3211) Effective January 1, 2019.)

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.

State of California,

County of

On

before me,

(insert name and title of officer)

personally appeared

who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person

(s) acted, executed the instrument.

I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.

WITNESS my hand and official seal.

Signature

 

(SEAL)

 

 

 

Understanding California Advanced Health Care Directive

What is a California Advanced Health Care Directive?

The California Advanced Health Care Directive is a legal document that allows individuals to outline their preferences for medical treatment in case they become unable to communicate their wishes. It combines two key components: a health care power of attorney and a living will. This directive ensures that your health care decisions are respected, even if you cannot express them yourself.

Who can create an Advanced Health Care Directive?

Any adult who is 18 years or older and is of sound mind can create an Advanced Health Care Directive in California. This document is especially important for individuals with specific health concerns or those who want to ensure their medical preferences are honored in critical situations.

How do I complete the form?

To complete the California Advanced Health Care Directive, you can obtain the form from various sources, including hospitals, legal websites, or your healthcare provider. Fill out the form by designating a health care agent and specifying your medical treatment preferences. It is advisable to discuss your choices with your agent and healthcare providers to ensure clarity. Once completed, sign the document in the presence of a witness or notary public, as required by California law.

Can I change or revoke my Advanced Health Care Directive?

Yes, you can change or revoke your Advanced Health Care Directive at any time, as long as you are mentally competent. To make changes, simply create a new directive and ensure that it clearly states that it revokes any previous directives. Notify your health care agent and medical providers of any updates to ensure your current wishes are known.

What happens if I do not have an Advanced Health Care Directive?

If you do not have an Advanced Health Care Directive and become incapacitated, your family members may have to make decisions about your medical care without knowing your preferences. In such cases, California law provides a hierarchy of individuals who may be authorized to make decisions on your behalf. However, this process can lead to confusion and conflict among family members, making it beneficial to have a directive in place.

Is an Advanced Health Care Directive the same as a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order?

No, an Advanced Health Care Directive is not the same as a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. While both documents relate to medical decisions, a DNR specifically instructs medical personnel not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heart stops or you stop breathing. An Advanced Health Care Directive encompasses a broader range of medical treatment preferences, including end-of-life care and other health care decisions.

Dos and Don'ts

When completing the California Advanced Health Care Directive form, it is essential to approach the task with care and consideration. Here are seven important actions to take and avoid:

  • Do ensure you understand the purpose of the directive. It allows you to express your wishes regarding medical treatment.
  • Do discuss your wishes with family members and loved ones. Clear communication can prevent confusion later.
  • Do select a trusted person as your health care agent. This individual will make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
  • Do provide specific instructions regarding your preferences for medical treatment. The more detailed you are, the better your wishes can be honored.
  • Don't rush through the form. Take your time to think about your decisions and ensure everything is accurate.
  • Don't neglect to sign and date the document. Without your signature, the directive may not be considered valid.
  • Don't forget to share copies of the directive with your health care agent and medical providers. This ensures that they are aware of your wishes.