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The California Advanced Health Care Directive is an important legal document that allows individuals to outline their preferences for medical treatment in the event they become unable to communicate their wishes. This directive enables a person to appoint a healthcare agent, someone trusted to make medical decisions on their behalf, ensuring that their values and desires are respected during critical times. Additionally, the form provides an opportunity to specify treatment preferences, including decisions about life-sustaining measures, pain management, and organ donation. By completing this directive, individuals can gain peace of mind, knowing that their healthcare choices will be honored, even when they are unable to voice them. The form is designed to be straightforward and user-friendly, allowing individuals to reflect on their wishes and communicate them clearly. Understanding the significance of this document can empower individuals to take control of their healthcare decisions and engage in meaningful conversations with loved ones about their end-of-life preferences.

Similar forms

The California Advanced Health Care Directive form is an important document that allows individuals to express their healthcare preferences in case they become unable to communicate those wishes. There are several other documents that serve similar purposes in different contexts. Here’s a look at five of them:

  • Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: This document allows you to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. Like the Advanced Health Care Directive, it ensures that your medical preferences are honored.
  • Living Will: A living will is a type of advance directive that specifically outlines your wishes regarding medical treatment in situations where you are terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state. It focuses on end-of-life decisions, similar to the California Advanced Health Care Directive.
  • Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: A DNR order is a medical order that indicates you do not want to receive CPR if your heart stops or if you stop breathing. While it is more specific than the Advanced Health Care Directive, both documents aim to communicate your wishes about medical care.
  • California Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale: This legal document is essential for recording the sale and purchase of a motor vehicle in California, providing vital information on the transaction, including buyer and seller details. It acts as proof of ownership transfer and is fundamental for the registration process, so be sure to read the form.
  • POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment): The POLST form is designed for individuals with serious illnesses or frailty. It translates your treatment preferences into actionable medical orders, similar to the way an Advanced Health Care Directive communicates your healthcare choices.
  • Health Care Proxy: This document designates a person to make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to do so. It shares similarities with the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, ensuring that your voice is heard through someone you trust.

Each of these documents plays a crucial role in ensuring that your healthcare preferences are respected and followed, providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Document Specifics

Fact Name Details
Purpose The California Advanced Health Care Directive allows individuals to specify their medical preferences and appoint someone to make decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so.
Governing Law This form is governed by the California Probate Code, specifically sections 4600 to 4806.
Components The directive includes two main parts: a health care agent designation and specific health care instructions.
Legal Requirements The form must be signed by the individual and witnessed by at least one person or notarized to be legally valid.
Revocation Individuals can revoke their directive at any time, as long as they are mentally competent to do so.

Things You Should Know About This Form

  1. What is a California Advanced Health Care Directive?

    A California Advanced Health Care Directive is a legal document that allows individuals to outline their healthcare preferences in case they become unable to communicate their wishes. It combines two important components: a health care proxy and a living will. This directive empowers someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf and specifies your wishes regarding medical treatment.

  2. Who can create an Advanced Health Care Directive?

    Any adult who is at least 18 years old and is of sound mind can create an Advanced Health Care Directive in California. This includes individuals who want to ensure their healthcare preferences are respected if they cannot voice them due to illness or injury.

  3. What should I include in my Advanced Health Care Directive?

    When completing your Advanced Health Care Directive, consider including the following:

    • Your choice of a health care agent, who will make decisions on your behalf.
    • Your preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments, such as resuscitation and mechanical ventilation.
    • Your wishes about pain management and comfort care.
    • Any specific instructions regarding organ donation.

    It's important to think carefully about these decisions and discuss them with your chosen agent and family members.

  4. How do I make my Advanced Health Care Directive legally valid?

    To ensure your Advanced Health Care Directive is legally valid in California, you must sign the document in the presence of either:

    • Two witnesses who are not related to you and do not stand to inherit from your estate, or
    • A notary public.

    This process helps confirm that you are making these decisions voluntarily and understand their implications.

  5. 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 of sound mind. To do this, you should create a new directive that clearly states your updated wishes or write a statement revoking the previous directive. It’s also a good idea to inform your health care agent and family members about any changes you make.

  6. Where should I keep my Advanced Health Care Directive?

    Keep your Advanced Health Care Directive in a safe but accessible place. It’s advisable to provide copies to your health care agent, family members, and your primary care physician. Additionally, consider storing a copy in your medical records. This ensures that your wishes are easily accessible in case of a medical emergency.

Documents used along the form

The California Advanced Health Care Directive is an essential document that allows individuals to outline their healthcare preferences and appoint someone to make medical decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so. In addition to this directive, several other forms and documents can complement it, providing a comprehensive approach to healthcare planning. Here are some commonly used forms:

  • Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: This document designates a specific person to make medical decisions for you if you are incapacitated. It is similar to the Advanced Health Care Directive but focuses solely on healthcare decisions.
  • Living Will: A living will specifies your wishes regarding end-of-life care and the types of medical treatments you do or do not want in certain situations, such as terminal illness or irreversible coma.
  • Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: This order instructs medical personnel not to perform CPR if your heart stops or you stop breathing. It is particularly important for individuals with terminal conditions who wish to avoid aggressive resuscitation efforts.
  • POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment): This medical order is designed for individuals with serious illnesses. It translates your treatment preferences into actionable medical orders that healthcare providers must follow.
  • California Motorcycle Bill of Sale: This form is essential for documenting the sale and transfer of ownership of a motorcycle, ensuring both parties have clear records of the transaction. For more information, you can refer to the Bill of Sale for Motorcycles.
  • HIPAA Release Form: This form allows you to authorize specific individuals to access your medical records. It ensures that your designated representatives can obtain necessary information to make informed healthcare decisions.
  • Final Will and Testament: While primarily a financial document, a will can address healthcare wishes regarding organ donation and funeral arrangements, providing a holistic view of your preferences.
  • Health Care Proxy: This document appoints someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf but does not include detailed instructions about your wishes. It is often used in conjunction with other healthcare directives.

Having these documents in place can provide clarity and peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. They ensure that your healthcare preferences are known and respected, even when you cannot communicate them yourself. Consider discussing your choices with family members and healthcare professionals to ensure everyone understands your wishes.

California Advanced Health Care Directive Preview

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

PAGE 6 of 7

 

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)