Advance Care Planning

Home Services Primary Care Advance Care Planning

If you had a serious accident or illness and were unable to make your own healthcare decisions, who would make them for you? It is important to write down your goals, values and preferences on a “healthcare directive” form and a “durable power of attorney for healthcare” form. These documents should be updated regularly and shared with your healthcare providers and loved ones. Talking about this possibility and designating your personal healthcare agent is part of advance care planning—something that anyone over the age of 18 should take seriously.

Frequently Asked Questions
  • Think about your values and wishes.
  • Make a written plan designating your healthcare agent.
  • Consider future healthcare decisions that may need to be made on your behalf.
  • Talk about the choices with your loved ones and your doctor.

A healthcare agent is a person you choose to make future medical decisions for you if you are unable to speak for yourself.

A healthcare agent should be someone you trust to speak for you. This is often a loved one, a family member or a close friend. The person you choose should be:

  • Able to handle tough decisions at difficult times.
  • Willing and able to be your healthcare agent.
  • Understand what you would want and speak up for your wishes when you can’t speak for yourself.

In Washington State, if patients are unable to make medical decisions for themselves, then the order is:

  1. State-appointed guardian (if any)
  2. Healthcare agent (per DPOAH)
  3. Spouse or registered domestic partner (even if separated)
  4. Adult children (all must agree on care)
  5. Parents
  6. Adult siblings (all must agree on care)

More information is available here.

  1. To learn more about advance care planning and advance directives, please view/print our helpful guide available here.
  2. Talk with your potential healthcare agent.
  3. Complete an advance directive form:
  4. Document your wishes and share your documents with your medical team and all those close to you.

Your wishes may change as your life circumstances and experiences change. You should review your plans and choices whenever any of the six “D’s” occur:

  • If you moved have DISTANCE
  • Every DECADE
  • After the DEATH of a loved one
  • After a DIVORCE
  • When you receive a new DIAGNOSIS
  • If you have a DECLINE in your health

Resources

ACP Self Completion Guide PREPARE WSHA WSMA CPR Guide

Certificates & Accreditation

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Intersocietal Accreditation Commission Accredited Facility Nuclear Cardiology
Intersocietal Accreditation Commission Accredited Facility Nuclear Cardiology
Intersocietal Accreditation Commission Accredited Facility Nuclear Cardiology

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