Do You Have an Advance Directive?

If you want to make your future health care wishes known, you can use an advance health care directive. This is the legal “living will” in California, and it tells your doctor, family, and others who are important to you about what medical care you do or do not want to receive. You can appoint a person to speak for you when you can’t make the decision for yourself.

To prepare an advance directive, you can get necessary forms from your primary care provider or other medical care providers. The following organizations can provide information about advance directives:

The Coalition
1215 K Street, Suite 800
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-552-7573
www.finalchoices.org

Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care
916-835-4007
www.caccc-use.org

Once you have an advance directive, keep it up-to-date. You can make changes at any time. Remember to give updated copies to your doctors, appointed decision-maker, family, and the person who takes care of you. Carry a copy when you travel, and have one available if you go to the hospital.