Advance directives are documents you can complete to protect your rights, determine your medical treatment and help your family and doctor understand your wishes about your healthcare.
Indiana Resources
In the State of Indiana, you may choose one or more of these advanced directives:
- Organ and Tissue Donation
- Healthcare Representative
- Living Will Declaration or Life-Prolonging Procedures Declaration
- Psychiatric Advance Directives
- Out of Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Declaration and Order
- Power of Attorney
Illinois Resources
In the State of Illinois, you may choose one or more of these advance directives:
- Living Will Declaration or Life-Prolonging Procedures Declaration
- Declaration for Mental Health Treatment
- Do Not Resuscitate Declaration and Order
- Power of Attorney for Healthcare
We ask that you complete and sign these documents while you’re still medically stable and competent to make important decisions about your medical treatment. In the event that you become unstable or incompetent, Advance Directives are the legally established means for you to communicate your wishes.
Franciscan Health accepts and will follow these directives as long as they are in keeping with the Catholic Code of Ethics and Indiana state law. Our hospitals will not discriminate against any individual based on whether he/she has signed an Advance Directive. As a Catholic health care facility, Franciscan Health abides by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services, approved by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Are Advanced Directives Required?
Advance directives are not required. Your physician or hospital cannot require you to make an advance directive if you do not want one. Also, you cannot be discriminated against if you do not sign one. However, you are strongly encouraged to complete advance directive documents so your wishes can be followed.
What Happens If I Don't Have An Advance Directive?
In Indiana: If you do not have an advance directive and are unable to choose medical care or treatment, Indiana law decides who can do this for you. Indiana Code § 16-36 allows any member of your immediate family (meaning your spouse, parent, adult child, brother or sister) or a person appointed by a court to make the choice for you. If you cannot communicate and do not have an advance directive, your physician will try to contact a member of your immediate family. Your health care choices will be made by the family member that your physician is able to contact.
In Illinois: A health care surrogate may be chosen for you if you cannot make health care decisions and do not have an advance directive. This health care surrogate will be one of the following persons (in order of priority): guardian of the person, spouse, any adult child(ren), either parent, any adult brother or sister, any adult grandchild(ren), a close friend or guardian of the estate. Review Illinois state law on advance directives.
What Should I Do With My Completed Advance Directive?
You will want to make sure your immediate family, physician, attorney and other health care providers have a copy. Your health care providers will make it part of your medical record.
Don't forget to keep a copy for yourself. You may wish to keep a small card in your purse or wallet that states that you have an advance directive, where it is located, and who to contact for your attorney or health care representative, if you have named one.