Health care advance directives are legal documents that explain medical treatments you want or don't want if you become unconscious or too sick to communicate your wishes. Health care advance directives include:
- Health Care Power of Attorney
- Advance Directive for a Natural Death (Also called a Living Will)
You are not required to complete an advance directive, and you will receive the same quality of health care whether you complete or not. If you are younger than 18, your parent or guardian will likely decide your medical care.
Why are Health Care Advance Directives Important?
Retired FirstHealth physician Ellen Willard, M.D., explains the importance of having a health care power of attorney and a living will.
Learn About Health Care Advance Directives
North Carolina-licensed attorney Patricia Niebauer explains the sections of the North Carolina health care advance directives.
Health Care Power of Attorney
A health care power of attorney identifies and empowers someone you trust to make your health care decisions if you can't speak for yourself. You can work with an attorney to develop your health care power of attorney or you can use the no-cost form below provided by the North Carolina Secretary of State.
Health Care Power of Attorney (PDF)
Advance Directive for a Natural Death (Living Will)
A living will outlines the circumstances under which you want life-extending measures discontinued. You can work with an attorney to develop your living will or use the no-cost form below provided by the North Carolina Secretary of State.
Advance Directive for a Natural Death (PDF)
Your advance directives must be notified before two witnesses who are not related to you. Once your health care advance directives are completed it's important that your loves ones and health care providers have a copy.
