Advance Directives are directions which you determine before you need them. They allow you to appoint someone as your health care agent and provide you the opportunity to state your wishes regarding health care treatment.
More information is available on the Robinson Memorial Hospital website under: Patient Information
Under Ohio law, there are two different forms you can use to make your wishes known:
Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare – This form allows you to appoint someone as your agent to make all health care decisions for you, should you become terminally ill and unable to communicate, or temporarily or permanently unable to make decisions for yourself.
Living Will – This form allows you to give advance written directions about all of your health care decisions when you are terminally ill and unable to communicate, or in a permanently unconscious state. These documents are referred to as Advance Directives because they are signed in advance to let your doctor and others know your wishes concerning medical treatment.
Sample forms and more information can be found at Putitinwriting.org and OHA Advanced Directivesor by contacting the Patient Advocate through the hospital operator (330) 297-0811.