Health Care Directives

Advance health care directives lets the key people in your life know your health care preferences at the end of your life. 

It informs them what types of medical treatment you want or don't want including your desire for diagnostic testing, resuscitation, surgical procedures and organ donation.

You may also authorize the cremation of your body upon your death, and you may also designate a custodian of your remains.

The most common types of directives are the health care power of attorney, health care agent, health care representative and living will. (In 2006, Connecticut replaced the health care power of attorney and health care agent with a “Health Care Representative,” but existing health care powers of attorney and health care agents are grandfathered and still valid.)

By making your choices early on, you can ensure you'll receive the quality of life that is important to you. You will also be saving your loved ones from having to guess your wishes, and from having to make important medical decisions for you under extremely difficult times.

Connecticut also now has a form you can fill out that outlines the medical treatment you'd like - and this form goes into effect immediately after you sign it, regardless of your capacity. The form is called MOLST, or Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment form.

To learn more about how to take charge of your health care with advance directives, click here.