Advance Directive
What is an Advance Directive?
This is your written record about your future health care. It helps your family and provider know your wishes about your care. You must be of sound mind and 18 years or older or an emancipated minor to have one. You choose a person to make health care choices for you when you cannot make them. It can keep certain people from making health care choices for you.
Advance Directives under Georgia Law
The State of Georgia has joined the living will and health care power of attorney (POA) into a single record. It is called an Advance Directive for Health Care. It must be in writing. Both are explained below.
What is a Living Will?
A living will states, in writing, the health care you wish to have or not have, when you are sick, hurt and not able to speak for yourself.
What is Health Care Power of Attorney (POA)?
A health care POA lets allows you to choose an adult who would make health care choices for you if you are not able.
Plan Ahead
It will help you, your family and your friends if you set up your Health Care Advance Directive. When you make your living will or choose a person as your health care POA, the health care provider will know how to care for you on your own terms, even when you cannot speak for yourself.
Learn More
Learn more about Advance Directives by:
- Talking with your PCP.
- Going online at http://aging.dhs.georgia.gov/.
- Calling the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services at 1-404-657-5258. You can also visit them at 2 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 9395, Atlanta, GA 30303-3142.
- Visit the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s website at CaringInfo.org or call 1-800-282-6556.
- Speaking with a local lawyer or legal aid service.
This information is for general use only. It is not meant to be legal advice.
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