Advance Directives

The term Advance Directives is used to describe your decisions about your medical care when or if you cannot speak for yourself in the future.

Advance Directives aren't just for older adults; unexpected end-of-life situations can occur at any age, and anyone age 18 or older is eligible to prepare these documents.

The videos below describe each type of Advance Directive. We encourage you to watch these videos with your family or friends so that you can begin to have this important conversation.

What is An Advance Directive?

The term Advance Directives is used to describe decisions that you make now about your wishes regarding medical care when or if you cannot speak for yourself in the future.

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Health Care Proxy

A Health Care Proxy is for everyone at any time. You designate someone of your choosing to make decisions for you if you become unable to make decisions on your own.

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Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

DNR is a document to tell medical professionals not to perform CPR.

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Living Will

A living will states your wishes about medical care if your ability to make decisions is hampered in some way, such as with a medical condition like a stroke or severe dementia.

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Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST)

Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment is a comprehensive document that identifies your wishes for life sustaining treatment.

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Your Next Steps

  • Click here to download Advance Directive forms to make your wishes known.
  • Talk with your family, friends and perhaps medical and legal professionals to ensure that your wishes are clear and reflect your choices for your healthcare.

We are grateful for the support we have received from Fidelis Care New York and Rural Metro Medical Services in developing these videos.