Many people today are concerned about the medical care they might receive in the event they are unable to express their wishes. Do you and your loved ones know your preferences for medical care? The Advance Health Care Directive will inform your family, loved ones and your physicians of your personal health care wishes in advance. The Health Library & Resource Center at El Camino Hospital provides free personalized assistance to help you complete your Advance Health Care Directive.

What is an Advance Health Care Directive?

California law gives you the ability to ensure that your health care wishes are known and considered if you become unable to make these decisions yourself. By completing a form called an "Advance Health Care Directive," you appoint another person to be your health care agent. If you become unable to make your medical decisions, your chosen agent will have legal authority to make decisions about your medical care. By writing down your health care wishes in the Advance Health Care Directive form, you inform your agent of your desires about your health care in any situation that may occur.

Who can complete an Advance Health Care Directive?

Any California resident who is at least 18 years old (or is an emancipated minor), of sound mind and acting of his or her own free will, can complete a valid Advance Health Care Directive.

For more general information on Health Care Directives visit the PBS web site for the Bill Moyers special On Our Own Terms: Moyers on Dying. The Health Library & Resource Center also has a video copy of this series available for check out.

Highlights of our free Advance Health Care Directive assistance

Our professionally trained volunteers will:

• Answer your questions about the process.
• Explain the medical and legal language.
• Explain the importance of selecting your health care agent.
• Help you identify your personal health care wishes.
• Assist you in completing the appropriate legal Advance Health Care Directive forms.
• Witness your signature and provide appropriate copies for your agent(s)and physicians.

To schedule a 60-minute appointment for assistance with an Advance Health Care Directive call the Health Library & Resource Center at 650-940-7210. This program is offered through the Health Library & Resource Center, which is located at:

El Camino Hospital
Main Building, First Floor
2500 Grant Road
Mountain View, CA 94040

Phone: 650-940-7210

Hours:
Monday - Friday | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.