Advance Directives
Advance directives resolve medical care questions for comatose or dying patients. The best way to be in control of medical treatment in such a situation is to record your preferences in advance.
 
Frequently Asked Questions

What are advance directives?
An advance directive is a document, written in advance of serious illness, stating your choices about medical treatment. It also can specify someone to make choices for you should you become unable to make decisions. Through advance directives, such as living wills and healthcare powers of attorney, you can make legally valid decisions about future medical treatment.
 
Are advance directives just for senior citizens?
Not exclusively. Federal law allows adults over 18 to make healthcare choices known to others in advance of illness or hospitalization. A severe illness or serious accident can happen at any age. Regardless of age, you are encouraged to consider signing an advance directive.
 
Can advance directives be changed?
Yes. These documents can be changed or revoked by you at any time. If you make changes, destroy all previous copies and provide the new version to your family, physician and attorney. If you wish to revoke an advance directive while receiving treatment, notify your primary physician or nurse.
 
After completing an advance directive, what should I do with it?
Copies of your advance directive should be given to someone who will know if you become seriously ill. You should also give a copy to your physician. Consider giving a copy to your minister, family members or close friends as well. If you have appointed an agent to make healthcare decisions for you, give a copy to them as well. Finally, consider carrying a card in your wallet stating that you have signed an advance directive and where it can be located.
 
In order for a hospital, nursing facility, home health agency or hospice program to honor the advance directive, you must provide a copy of it to someone at the hospital, nursing facility, home health agency or hospice program (a physician, nurse, social worker or chaplain).
 
Where can I obtain an advance directive form?
You can obtain living will and healthcare power of attorney forms from us by clicking here  or your attorney, or from the Medical Association of Georgia, the State Bar Association, or the Georgia Hospital Association. If you plan to sign the documents while receiving treatment with us, you (or your family) are responsible for ensuring witnesses (other than hospital personnel) are present when you sign the documents.
 
Where can I find more information on advance directives?
Please contact our Clinical Care Coordination offices for more information.
St. Joseph's Hospital: (912) 819-2475
Candler Hospital: (912) 819-8536

Living Wills

What is a living will?
A living will instructs your physician to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining procedures if you become terminally ill. State law describes the kind of form that must be used in order to have a valid living will. A living will must be signed, dated and witnessed. A lawyer is not needed to draw up a living will, although you may decide consultation with a lawyer is desirable.