Most states recognize two types of advance directives, a Living Will and a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.

A Living Will allows you to express your wishes about life-sustaining treatment if you should become terminally or irreversibly ill. When you make a Living Will, you state that you do not want your life to be prolonged by extraordinary means or by artificial nutrition and hydration if you have a terminal, incurable condition or are in a persistent vegetative state.

People who are terminally and incurably ill are those with a limited life expectancy, for example, people in the last stages of cancer or heart disease. Those in a persistent vegetative state are most often accident or stroke victims who are in a condition in which their eyes open and they can move, but they are not aware and cannot respond purposefully to the world around them.

A Living Will is simple to fill out and in most states only requires the signature of two witnesses (who are not related to you) and a notary public. A Living Will becomes effective when you can no longer direct your health care and are not expected to recover.

Partnership for Caring has state-specific forms that can be downloaded from its website at www.partnershipforcaring.org, or you may call 800.989.9455 to order a printed copy for a small fee.

www.LegalDocs.com also has state-specific advance directive forms; you may fill out a Living Will online for free, or download a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care for a small fee.

Where to Put Your Advance Care Documents

No advance document will do you any good if it cannot be located when it is needed. Make copies for your loved ones, your health care agent, others who may participate in end of life decisions for you, your doctor, and your hospital record. (Do not keep it in a safe deposit box.) If you are receiving hospice care, home health care, or are in a nursing home, a copy should be in the office of that agency or facility.