You do not need to know exactly what you would want in every situation. The goal is to help your loved ones and healthcare team make decisions that reflect your values, goals, and preferences.

Why Does Advance Care Planning Matter?

A serious illness or unexpected injury can happen at any time. If you are unable to make healthcare decisions for yourself, someone else may need to make them on your behalf.

Planning ahead can:

• Make your wishes known
• Help your family feel more confident making decisions
• Reduce uncertainty and conflict during difficult times
• Help your healthcare team understand what matters most to you
• Give you time to consider important healthcare decisions before a crisis occurs

You do not have to be sick to start these conversations.

Conversation Comes First

The most important part of advance care planning is talking with the people who may be involved in your care. Documents help communicate your wishes, but they do not replace these conversations.

Depending on your circumstances and where you live, advance care planning documents may include:

Advance Directive

Documents your healthcare wishes and/or names someone to make healthcare decisions for you.

Out-of-Hospital DNR

Provides medical orders regarding CPR for eligible patients when they are outside of a hospital setting.

POLST, TPOPP, or Similar Medical Orders

For people living with serious illness or advanced frailty, these medical orders communicate treatment preferences to healthcare professionals across care settings.

Advance Care Planning Is Not a One-Time Decision

Your wishes may change as your health, life circumstances, or priorities change.

Review your plan:

• After a major change in your health
• After a new diagnosis
• Before a major surgery or procedure
• When family circumstances change
• When your goals, values, or priorities change

You Can Change Your Mind

Advance care planning is an ongoing process. You may update your decisions and documents at any time to reflect what matters most to you.