None of us knows what the future holds and whether we might become unable to speak for ourselves. Talking with your loved ones now, appointing a representative and preparing a written record of your wishes will be invaluable should you become unable to make or communicate health care decisions.
These are your decisions to make, regardless of what you choose for your care, and the decisions are based on your personal values, preferences, and discussions with your loved ones.
Advance care planning provides peace of mind by explaining what healthcare people would prefer if they become severely injured or terminally ill. Keep advance directives in an easily accessible place and let loved ones know where it is. Sharing preferences before a medical crisis will best prepare you to get the care you want.
What is an advance directive?
“Advance directive” is a term that refers to your spoken and written instructions about your future medical care and treatment. By stating your health care choices in an advance directive, you help your family and physician understand your wishes about your medical care.
Are advance directives required?
Advance directives are not required. Your physician or hospital cannot require you to make an advance directive if you do not want one. No one may discriminate against you if you do not sign one. Physicians and hospitals often encourage patients to complete advance directive documents.
What happens if you do not have an advance directive?
If you do not have an advance directive and are unable to choose medical care or treatment, Indiana law decides who can do this for you. Indiana law allows any member of your immediate family (meaning your spouse, parent, adult child, brother, or sister) or a person appointed by a court to make the choice for you. If you cannot communicate and do not have an advance directive, your physician will try to contact a member of your immediate family. Your health care choices will be made by the family member that your physician is able to contact.
What are the different types of advance directives?
- Talking directly to your physician and family
- Organ and tissue donation
- Health care representative
- Living Will Declaration or Life-Prolonging Procedures Declaration
- Psychiatric advance directives
- Out of Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Declaration and Order
- Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST)
- Power of Attorney
Where can I find advance directive forms?
There is no official or mandatory advance directive form that must be followed, but the advance directive must meet the requirements of Indiana law to be valid. The health care advance directives chapter is IC 16-36-7, located in the Indiana Code linked at the bottom of the Indiana Department of Health page under “Laws and Regulations” here. Additionally, the following sample advance directive forms posted on third-party websites are current as of May 3, 2023:
Indiana Advance Directive – Representative Appointment Only
Indiana Advance Directive – Preferences and Representative Appointment
Where can I find additional information?
For additional information on advance directives, visit the Indiana State Department of Health Advanced Directives Resource Center located at https://www.in.gov/health/cshcr/indiana-health-care-quality-resource-center/advance-directives-resource-center/.