Hello Patients and Families!
Advance Care Planning is a process of planning for your future medical care. Advance Care Planning includes:
- Having a conversation with your family about the types of medical treatments you want to receive at the end of your life
- Completing the Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care and giving copies to your loved ones
- Providing a copy of your Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care to your doctor and talking to him/her about your preferences
- Reviewing and updating your Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care as necessary
- Having your doctor complete a Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) if you have an advanced illness
The Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care is the state’s legal format for documenting your preferences for the medical treatments you want to receive should you not be able to communicate for yourself. Any capable adult over the age of 18 can complete the Georgia Advance Directive. Completion of the Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care is voluntary. With it, you can:
- Legally appoint someone to make health care decisions for you when you cannot or do not want to speak for yourself
- Formally state your preferences for the medical treatments you do or do not want to receive if you have an incurable or irreversible condition that will result in your death in a relatively short period of time or are in a state of permanent unconsciousness
Be sure to talk with your loved ones about these important decisions. Letting them know your views is the best way to make sure that your wishes are followed. The CRITICAL Conditions℠ Planning Guide is available to help you have this conversation. Access the CRITICAL Conditions℠ Planning Guide.
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