Patient & Visitor Guide

Advance Directives

Advance directives (formerly known as living wills) are documents you create while you are feeling well and thinking clearly that explain to your family and your health care providers the extent of medical treatment you wish to receive—or not receive—should you become unconscious or too ill to make the decision at a later point in your life.

Health care issues can be complex and confusing. They can be compounded by an accident or illness that renders you incapable of making your wishes for your own care known to your doctor and loved ones. To ensure that your intentions are known and honored, you should discuss them with your doctor and your family before a stressful health care decision must be made.

Additional information regarding Advance Directives is available to you by contacting the Department of Patient Relations or the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services' Division of Aging. You can download an Advance-directive template (PDF) from the Delaware Health and Social Services Web site.