An Advance Directive is a document that allows you to direct who will make health care decisions for you; and to state your wishes for treatment if you become unable to decide for yourself in the future. Your Advance Directive may be used to accept or refuse any procedure or treatment, including life-sustaining treatment.
We invite you to review and utilize the following forms, provided in English and Spanish, to aid with making your health care decisions known and provide the ability for a family member or friend to make decisions on your behalf, if need be.
Following are common questions and answers concerning Advance Directives.
You have the right to receive an understandable explanation from your doctor of your complete medical condition, expected results, benefits and risks of the treatment recommended by your doctor, and reasonable medical alternatives. You have the right to accept or refuse any procedure or treatment used to diagnose or treat your physical or mental condition, including lifesustaining treatment.
You also have the right to control decisions about your health care in the event you become unable to make your own decisions in the future by completing an Advance Directive.
If you become unable to make treatment decisions, due to illness or accident, those caring for you will need to know about your values and wishes in making decisions on your behalf. That’s why it’s important to write an Advance Directive.
An Advance Directive is a document that allows you to direct who will make health care decisions for you and to state your wishes for treatment if you become unable to decide for yourself in the future. Your Advance Directive may be used to accept or refuse any procedure or treatment, including life-sustaining treatment.
There are three kinds of Advance Directives that you can use to say what you want and who you want your doctors to listen to:
You can fill out an Advance Directive in New Jersey if you are 18 years of age or older and you are able to make your own decisions. You do not need a lawyer to fill it out.
You should talk to your doctor, family members, close friends, or others you trust to help you. Your doctor or a member of our staff can give you more information about how to fill out an Advance Directive.
You should talk to your doctor about it and give a copy to him or her. You should also give a copy to your health care representative, family member(s), or others close to you. Bring a copy with you when you must receive care from a hospital, nursing home, or other health care agency. Your Advance Directive becomes a part of your medical records.
If you become unable to make treatment decisions and you do not have an Advance Directive, your close family members will talk with your doctor and, in most cases,may then make decisions on your behalf. However, if your family members, doctor, or other caregivers disagree about your medical care, it may be necessary for a court to appoint someone as your legal guardian. (This also may be needed if you do not have a family member to make decisions on your behalf.) That’s why it’s important to put your wishes in writing to make it clear who should decide for you, and to help your family and doctor know what you want.
Yes. Everyone responsible for your care must respect your wishes that you have stated in your Advance Directive. However, if your doctor, nurse, or other professional has a sincere objection to respecting your wishes to refuse life-sustaining treatment, he or she may have your care transferred to another professional who will carry them out.
You can change or revoke any of these documents at a later time.
Yes. You don’t have to fill out any forms if you don’t want to and you will still get medical treatment. Your insurance company also cannot deny coverage based on whether or not you have an Advance Directive.
Your doctor or a member of our staff can provide you with more information about our policies on Advance Directives. You also may ask for written informational materials and help. If there is a question or disagreement about your health care wishes, we have an ethics committee or other individuals who can help.