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Outline

Planning for the future, especially regarding healthcare decisions, is a step toward ensuring that personal wishes are honored during times of medical incapacity. The Utah Healthcare Directive form is a legal tool designed to facilitate this planning. Created under the guidelines of the Utah Code Section 75-2a-117 since 2008, this comprehensive document allows individuals to outline their healthcare preferences and appoint someone they trust to make decisions on their behalf if they're unable to do so themselves. The form is structured to cover all bases - from choosing whether or not to appoint a health care agent in Part I, specifying healthcare wishes in Part II, guidance on revoking or changing the directive in Part III, to the formalities required to make the directive valid in Part IV. It empowers individuals by giving them control over their future healthcare, detailing everything from the type of life-sustaining treatments they wish to receive or avoid, to preferences about organ donation, and even participation in medical research. These provisions ensure that an individual’s healthcare journey aligns with their values and beliefs, even when they cannot express their wishes directly. The directive assumes a pivotal role in healthcare planning, by not only facilitating clear communication between patients, their families, and healthcare providers but also by minimizing uncertainties and conflicts during critical times.

Preview - Utah Healthcare Directive Form

 

Utah Advance Healthcare Directive

 

(Pursuant to Utah Code Section 75-2a-117, effective 2008)

 

This form contains no modifications from the statutory form.

 

 

Part I:

Allows you to name another the person to make health care decisions for you when you cannot

 

make decisions or speak for yourself.

Part II:

Allows you to record your wishes about health care in writing.

Part III:

Tells you how to revoke or change this directive.

Part IV:

Makes your directive legal.

 

 

My Personal Information

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________

Street Address: _______________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code: _________________________________________________________________

Telephone: (_______) _____________________ Cell Phone: (_______) _____________________

Birth Date: ____________________________

Part I: My Agent (Health Care Power of Attorney)

A: No Agent

If you do not want to name an agent, initial the box below, then go to Part II; do not name an agent in B or C be- low. No one can force you to name an agent.

I do not want to choose an agent.

B: My Agent

Agent’s Name: _______________________________________________________________________

Street Address: _______________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code: _________________________________________________________________

Telephone: (_______) _____________________ Cell Phone: (_______) _____________________

Birth Date: ____________________________

C: My Alternate Agent

This person will serve as your agent if your agent, named above, is unable or unwilling to serve.

Agent’s Name: _______________________________________________________________________

Street Address: _______________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code: _________________________________________________________________

Telephone: (_______) _____________________ Cell Phone: (_______) _____________________

Birth Date: ____________________________

Page 1 of 4

Part I: My Agent (continued)

D: Agent’s Authority

If I cannot make decisions or speak for myself (in other words, after my physician or APRN finds that I lack health care decision making capacity under Section 75-2a-104 of the Advance Health Care Directive Act), my agent has the power to make any health care decision I could have made such as, but not limited to:

•Consent to, refuse, or withdraw any health care. This may include care to prolong my life such as food and fluids by tube, use of antibiotics, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and dialysis, and mental health care, such as convulsive therapy and psychoactive medications. This authority is subject to any limits in paragraph F of Part I or in Part II of this directive.

•Hire and fire health care providers.

•Ask questions and get answers from health care providers.

•Consent to admission or transfer to a health care provider or health care facility, including a mental health facility, subject to any limits in paragraphs E or F of Part I.

•Get copies of my medical records.

•Ask for consultations or second opinions.

My agent cannot force health care against my will, even if a physician has found that I lack health care decision making capacity.

E: Other Authority

My agent has the powers below ONLY IF I initial the “YES” option that precedes the statement. I authorize my agent to:

____YES

____ NO

Get copies of my medical records at any time, even when I can speak for myself.

____YES

____ NO

Admit me to a licensed health care facility, such as a hospital, nursing home, assisted living,

 

 

or other facility for long-term placement other than convalescent or recuperative care.

F: Limits/Expansion of Authority

I wish to limit or expand the powers of my health care agent as follows:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

G: Nomination of Guardian

Even though appointing an agent should help you avoid a guardianship, a guardianship may still be necessary. Initial the "YES" option if you want the court to appoint your agent or, if your agent is unable or unwilling to serve, your alternate agent, to serve as your guardian, if a guardianship is ever necessary.

____YES ____ NO I, being of sound mind and not acting under duress, fraud, or other undue influence, do hereby

nominate my agent, or if my agent is unable or unwilling to serve, I hereby nominate my alternate agent, to serve as my guardian in the event that, after the date of this instrument, I become incapaci- tated.

H: Consent to Participate in Medical Research

____YES ____ NO I authorize my agent to consent to my participation in medical research or clinical trials, even if I

may not benefit from the results.

I: Organ Donation

____YES ____ NO If I have not otherwise agreed to organ donation, my agent may consent to the donation of my

organs for the purpose of organ transplantation.

Name: ______________________________________________ (print or type)

Page 2 of 4

Part II: My Health Care Wishes (Living Will)

I want my health care providers to follow the instructions I give them when I am being treated, even if my instructions conflict with these or other advance directives. My health care providers should always provide health care to keep me as comfortable and functional as possible.

Choose only one of the following options, numbered Option 1 through Option 4, by placing your initials before the numbered statement. Do not initial more than one option. If you do not wish to document end-of-life wishes, initial Option 4. You may choose to draw a line through the options that you are not choosing.

Option 1

______________

Initial

I choose to let my agent decide. I have chosen my agent carefully. I have talked with my agent about my health care wishes. I trust my agent to make the health care decisions for me that I would make under the circumstances.

Additional Comments:

Option 2

 

I choose to prolong life. Regardless of my condition or prognosis, I want my health care team

______________

to try to prolong my life as long as possible within the limits of generally accepted health care

 

Initial

standards.

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option 3

 

 

__________

Initial

I choose not to receive care for the purpose of prolonging life, including food and fluids by tube, antibiotics, CPR, or dialysis being used to prolong my life. I always want comfort care and routine medical care that will keep me as comfortable and functional as possible, even if that care may prolong my life.

If you choose this option, you must also choose either (a) or (b), below

 

_________

(a) I put no limit on the ability of my health care provider or agent to withhold or withdraw life-

 

sustaining care. If you selected (a), above, do not choose any options under (b).

 

Initial

 

 

 

 

_________

(b) My health care provider should withhold or withdraw life-sustaining care if at least one of

 

the initialed conditions is met:

 

Initial

 

 

 

 

Option

 

I have a progressive illness that will cause death

 

3(b)

 

 

 

 

I am close to death and am unlikely to recover

 

only

 

 

 

 

 

You may

 

I cannot communicate and it is unlikely that my condition will improve

 

 

 

 

initial

 

I do not recognize my friends or family and it is unlikely that my condition will improve

 

more than

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am in a persistent vegetative state

 

one option

 

Other:

 

Option 4

______________

I do not wish to express preferences about health care wishes in this directive.

Initial

 

Other:

 

 

 

Name: ______________________________________________ (print or type)

Page 3 of 4

Part II: My Health Care Wishes (continued)

Additional instructions about your health care wishes:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you do not want emergency medical service providers to provide CPR or other life sustaining measures, you must work with a physician or APRN to complete an order that reflects your wishes on a form approved by the Utah Department of Health.

Part III: Revoking or Changing a Directive

I may revoke or change this directive by:

•Writing “void” across the form, burning, tearing, or otherwise destroying or defacing this document or directing an- other person to do the same on my behalf;

•Signing a written revocation of the directive, or directing another person to sign a revocation on my behalf;

•Stating that I wish to revoke the directive in the presence of a witness who: is 18 years of age or older; will not be ap- pointed as my agent in a substitute directive; will not become a default surrogate if the directive is revoked; and signs and dates a written document confirming my statement; or

•Signing a new directive. (If you sign more than one Advance Health Care Directive, the most recent one applies.)

Part IV: Making the Document Legal

I sign this directive voluntarily. I understand the choices I have made and declare that I am emotionally and mentally competent to make this directive. My signature on this form revokes any living will or power of attorney form nam- ing a health care agent that I have completed in the past.

___________________________ ___________________________________________________________

DateSignature

___________________________________________________________

City, County, and State of Residence

I have witnessed the signing of this directive, I am 18 years of age or older, and I am not:

•Related to the declarant by blood or marriage;

•Entitled to any portion of the declarant's estate according to the laws of intestate succession of any state or jurisdiction or under any will or codicil of the declarant,

•A beneficiary of a life insurance policy, trust, qualified plan, pay on death account, or transfer or death deed that is held, owned, made, or established by, or on behalf of, the declarant;

•Entitled to benefit financially upon the death of the declarant;

•Entitled to a right to, or interest in, real or personal property upon the death of the declarant;

•Directly financially responsible for the declarant's medical care;

•A health care provider who is providing care to the declarant or an administrator at a health care facility in which the de- clarant is receiving care; or

•The appointed agent or alternate agent.

_______________________________________________

__________________________________________________

Signature of Witness

Printed Name of Witness

 

 

_______________________________________________

______________________

_________

______________

Street Address

City

State

Zip

If the witness is signing to confirm an oral directive, describe below the circumstances under which the directive was made.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name: ______________________________________________ (print or type)

Page 4 of 4
Download PDF Form

File Specifications

Fact Detail
Governing Law Utah Code Section 75-2a-117, effective 2008
Purpose Allows the naming of an agent to make healthcare decisions when the individual is unable to do so.
Form Contents Includes personal information, agent designation, healthcare wishes, and legal confirmation.
Agent's Authority The agent can make a wide range of healthcare decisions, including consenting to or refusing medical treatment.
Limitations and Expansions The form allows specifying limitations or expansions of the agent’s powers.
Revocation or Change Describes methods by which the directive may be revoked or altered.
Legalization Requires the declarant's signature and witness verification to become legally valid.

How to Write Utah Healthcare Directive

Filling out the Utah Healthcare Directive form is a process that ensures your healthcare wishes are respected in situations where you might not be able to communicate them yourself. It's important to take this step to have control over your healthcare decisions, particularly in emergency or end-of-life situations. This guide walks you through each step of completing the form.

Steps to Fill Out the Utah Healthcare Directive Form:
  1. Start with your personal information. Enter your full name, street address, city, state, zip code, telephone number, cell phone number, and birth date where indicated at the beginning of the form.
  2. Part I: My Agent (Health Care Power of Attorney)
    • If you do not want to name an agent, initial the box indicating you do not want to choose an agent and skip to Part II. Do not fill out sections B or C.
    • If choosing an agent, fill in the agent’s name, address, telephone numbers, and birth date in section B.
    • For an alternate agent, in case the primary is unable or unwilling to serve, fill in the same information in section C.
  3. In section D under Part I, review the powers given to your agent. No action is needed here unless you want to limit these powers, which you can do in sections E and F.
  4. In section E, indicate by initialing "YES" or "NO" whether you give your agent additional powers, such as accessing medical records at any time or admitting you to long-term care facilities.
  5. Section F allows you to specify any limits or expansions to your agent’s authority. Write any specific instructions or restrictions you have for your agent’s powers.
  6. If you want your agent or alternate agent to be considered for guardianship in case it's necessary, initial "YES" in section G. Otherwise, initial "NO".
  7. Sections H and I deal with consenting to participate in medical research and organ donation, respectively. Indicate your preferences by initialing "YES" or "NO" in each section.
  8. Part II: My Health Care Wishes (Living Will)
    • Read through options 1 through 4, which outline different levels of care from allowing an agent to decide to not wanting care that prolongs life. Initial next to the option that best represents your wishes.
    • If you choose option 3, you must also choose between (a) no limit on withholding care or (b) certain conditions under which to withhold care. Initial next to your choice.
    • Add any other health care wishes or instructions in the space provided at the end of Part II.
  9. Part III: Revoking or Changing a Directive details how to revoke or alter the document. No action is required unless you are making changes.
  10. Part IV: Making the Document Legal
    • Sign and date the form to make it legally binding. Enter your city, county, and state of residence.
    • A witness must sign and provide their printed name, address, and the date. Ensure this person is not related to you or stands to benefit from your estate to maintain the document's integrity.

Once you’ve completed these steps, your Utah Healthcare Directive form will articulate your healthcare preferences clearly and legally. Store this document in a safe but accessible place, and inform your family, healthcare agent, and primary care physician of its existence and location.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the purpose of the Utah Advance Healthcare Directive?

    The Utah Advance Healthcare Directive serves a dual purpose. The first part of the directive allows you to name another person, referred to as your agent, to make health care decisions on your behalf when you're unable to make these decisions or communicate for yourself. This could include decisions about medical treatments, choosing health care providers, and accessing your medical records. The second part allows you to record your specific wishes regarding your health care treatment, often referred to as a living will. This includes your preferences on treatments that could prolong your life, how your comfort should be prioritized, and any limits you wish to set on life-sustaining measures.

  2. How can I appoint an agent using the Utah Advance Healthcare Directive?

    To appoint an agent, you'll need to complete Part I of the Utah Advance Healthcare Directive form. You must provide the name, contact information, and address of the person you wish to designate as your agent. If desired, you can also name an alternate agent who can serve if your primary agent is unable or unwilling to act on your behalf. It's crucial that you discuss your health care wishes with your chosen agent(s) before appointing them to ensure they understand and are willing to carry out your directives.

  3. Can I specify my health care wishes regarding end-of-life care in this directive?

    Yes, Part II of the Utah Advance Healthcare Directive allows you to specify your wishes regarding end-of-life care. You have the option to choose one of several stated preferences regarding the prolonging of your life, including the administration of food and fluids by tube, use of antibiotics, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and dialysis. You can also indicate whether you want to receive comfort care and routine medical care to keep you comfortable, even if such care might prolong your life. It's important to consider these options carefully and make your choices known in the directive.

  4. How can I revoke or change my Utah Advance Healthcare Directive?

    You can revoke or change your Utah Advance Healthcare Directive at any time. To do so, you can write "void" across the form, physically destroy the document, sign a written revocation, or verbally revoke it in the presence of a witness who meets specific criteria. Additionally, creating a new directive will automatically revoke any previous directives. It's important to communicate any revocation or significant changes to your healthcare agent(s) and healthcare providers to ensure your current wishes are followed.

  5. What are the requirements for making my Utah Advance Healthcare Directive legally binding?

    To make your Utah Advance Healthcare Directive legally binding, you must sign and date the form, declaring you are doing so voluntarily and that you understand your choices. Additionally, your signature must be witnessed by someone who is at least 18 years old and does not have a conflict of interest, such as being a relative, a beneficiary of your estate, a healthcare provider treating you, or anyone who stands to financially benefit from your death. This witness must then sign and provide their contact information on the directive. Following these steps ensures the legal validity of your directive, empowering your agents to act according to your wishes and ensuring your healthcare preferences are respected.

Common mistakes

Filling out a Utah Advance Healthcare Directive is an important step in ensuring one's healthcare preferences are respected. Nevertheless, individuals often make several common mistakes during this process. Recognizing and avoiding these errors can aid in ensuring the document's validity and effectiveness.

  1. Failing to discuss their healthcare wishes with the appointed agent(s). It's critical that the person you name as your agent or alternate agent knows your healthcare preferences. This can prevent future confusion or conflicts and ensures that decisions made on your behalf align with your values and desires.
  2. Not being specific about their health care wishes in Part II. Some people do not provide enough detail about their preferences for life-sustaining treatments, such as mechanical ventilation, tube feeding, or CPR. It's important to give clear instructions to guide your agent and healthcare providers.
  3. Overlooking the nomination of a guardian in Part III. In cases where a guardianship might still be necessary, explicitly nominating your chosen agent as your guardian can streamline the process and ensure your preferences are respected if you become incapacitated.
  4. Inadequately considering the choice of agent. Some people might not thoroughly consider the implications of their choice of health care agent. It's crucial to choose someone who is not only trustworthy but also capable of making tough decisions under stress, understands your wishes, and is willing to advocate on your behalf.
  5. Ignoring the section on organ donation. Many individuals skip the organ donation section without realizing its importance. Whether you're for or against organ donation, stating your wishes clearly can make a huge difference for families and potential recipients at a critical time.
  6. Failure to properly witness and make the document legal in Part IV. The directive must be signed by the declarant in the presence of a witness who meets specific criteria laid out in the form. Skipping this step or having a witness who doesn't qualify can invalidate the entire document.

Addressing these common mistakes when filling out a Utah Advance Healthcare Directive can make a significant difference in ensuring one's healthcare wishes are understood and respected. It's also worth reviewing and updating the directive periodically to reflect any changes in personal health care preferences or relationships with chosen agents.

Lastly, it's beneficial to consult with a legal professional or healthcare provider if you have questions or need help filling out the form. This can provide clarity and further ensure that the document accurately reflects your healthcare wishes.

Documents used along the form

Understanding the components of a comprehensive healthcare plan requires familiarity not only with the Utah Healthcare Directive form but also with a suite of accompanying documents. These documents serve to clarify your healthcare wishes, appoint the right individuals to make decisions on your behalf, and ensure that your healthcare providers and loved ones have the information they need to respect your choices. The following documents often accompany the Utah Advance Healthcare Directive form:

  • Health Care Power of Attorney: This legal document authorizes someone you trust to make health decisions on your behalf should you become unable to do so yourself. It’s crucial in ensuring that your healthcare preferences are followed, particularly in situations not covered by your living will.
  • Living Will: A living will outlines your preferences regarding end-of-life care. It becomes relevant if you are incapacitated and unable to express your wishes. This document complements the Healthcare Directive by providing more detailed instructions on your healthcare preferences.
  • Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: A DNR order is a physician's order that tells medical personnel not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest. This document is essential for those who do not wish to receive attempts to restore heartbeat or breathing.
  • Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST): The MOST form is a doctor's order that specifies the types of medical treatment you wish to receive towards the end of your life. It covers a broader range of treatments than a DNR order and is designed to ensure that your care preferences are honored by healthcare providers.
  • Durable Power of Attorney for Finances: While not directly related to healthcare, this document allows you to designate an agent to manage your financial affairs if you are unable to do so. This can be crucial for ensuring that healthcare expenses and other financial matters are handled according to your wishes.
  • Organ and Tissue Donation Registration: By registering as an organ donor, you can make your wishes about organ donation known. This can be included as part of your health care directive or completed through a separate registration process.

Each document plays a vital role in a comprehensive healthcare strategy, providing clarity and legal authority to enforce your wishes. By ensuring these documents are in place alongside your Utah Healthcare Directive, you can provide a clear guide to your healthcare agents and loved ones about your preferences, thereby reducing uncertainty and stress during difficult times. It's advisable to consult with a healthcare attorney to tailor these documents to your specific needs and wishes.

Similar forms

A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is closely related to a Utah Healthcare Directive in that it allows you to appoint someone, known as an agent, to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you're unable to do so. Both documents enable your agent to make wide-ranging healthcare decisions, including the refusal or withdrawal of treatment. However, a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care specifically focuses on healthcare decisions, while a Healthcare Directive might also include personal wishes for treatment and end-of-life care.

A Living Will, another document similar to Part II of the Utah Healthcare Directive, specifically addresses your wishes for medical treatment if you are in a terminal condition or permanently unconscious. Both documents guide healthcare providers on whether to prolong your life using artificial means, such as life support systems, where recovery is unlikely. The main difference lies in the Utah Healthcare Directive's broader scope, which can also include naming a healthcare agent and other personal healthcare instructions beyond end-of-life care.

The Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order is similar to certain aspects of the Utah Healthcare Directive. A DNR specifically instructs healthcare providers not to perform CPR if your breathing stops or if your heart stops beating. This is similar to the options within a Healthcare Directive where you can specify not to receive life-sustaining treatments like CPR in certain situations. However, a DNR is more narrowly focused, while the Healthcare Directive covers a broader range of healthcare decisions and preferences.

The Medical Power of Attorney shares similarities with the Utah Healthcare Directive because it explicitly allows you to appoint an agent to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. Both documents serve as a means to ensure that someone you trust can make decisions in alignment with your wishes if you're incapacitated. The Utah Healthcare Directive combines the features of a medical power of attorney with specific instructions for healthcare, making it a more comprehensive document.

The POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) also bears resemblance to the Utah Healthcare Directive. The POLST is designed for seriously ill patients and translates their treatment preferences into medical orders. Like the Utah Healthcare Directive, it can specify preferences on treatments such as intubation, mechanical ventilation, and feeding tubes. However, a POLST is a medical order that is effective immediately, whereas the Healthcare Directive is a legal document that provides general guidance and appoints an agent.

An Organ Donation Form can be similar to portions of the Utah Healthcare Directive that deal with organ donation. In the Healthcare Directive, you can express your wish to donate organs upon death, which is a specific provision also found in standalone organ donation forms. Although similar in content regarding organ donation decisions, an organ donation form is typically more focused, whereas the Healthcare Directive covers a wide range of health care instructions and decisions, including but not limited to organ donation.

The Appointment of Guardian document has similarities with the part of the Utah Healthcare Directive that allows you to nominate a guardian. In both cases, you can specify who you would like to make decisions on your behalf if you are found to be incapacitated and unable to make decisions for yourself. While the Appointment of Guardian might focus exclusively on the broader scope of guardianship, including financial and personal decisions, the Healthcare Directive is specifically focused on healthcare decisions and treatments.

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the Utah Healthcare Directive form, it’s crucial to pay attention to detail and understand the implications of the choices you make. Here is a list of dos and don’ts that will help guide you through the process:

  • Do carefully read each section of the form to ensure you understand what it is asking. This document is about your health care wishes, so clarity is key.
  • Don't rush through filling out the form. Take your time to consider each decision about your health care preferences and who you appoint as your agent.
  • Do discuss your health care wishes with the person or people you are considering to appoint as your agent(s). It's essential they understand your preferences and are willing to advocate on your behalf.
  • Don't leave any sections blank that apply to you. If you're uncertain about how to fill out a part of the form or what a question means, seek clarification.
  • Do use precise language in the additional instructions section to make your wishes as clear as possible. Avoid ambiguous terms that could be interpreted in multiple ways.
  • Don't forget to sign and date the form in the presence of a witness who meets the criteria outlined in Part IV. This step is critical to make the directive legal.
  • Do keep a copy of the filled-out form in a place where it is easily accessible to your family, your agent, and your healthcare providers. Consider giving a copy to your primary care physician to include in your medical record.
  • Don't hesitate to review and update your directive as circumstances change. Life events such as a major illness, divorce, or the death of your appointed agent can affect your directive.

By following these dos and don’ts, you can ensure that your health care directive accurately reflects your wishes and can be effectively used by your loved ones and health care providers when needed.

Misconceptions

There are several misconceptions about the Utah Healthcare Directive form. These misunderstandings can complicate decisions for individuals and their families during critical times. Here is a list of nine common misconceptions and explanations to help clarify these points.

  1. Only the elderly need a healthcare directive. Every adult should consider completing a Utah Healthcare Directive form, not just older individuals. Accidents or sudden illnesses can happen at any age, making it essential for everyone to have plans in place for their healthcare preferences.

  2. The form is too complicated to complete without legal help. While legal advice can be beneficial, especially in complex situations, the Utah Healthcare Directive form is designed to be straightforward so individuals can complete it without requiring a lawyer.

  3. If I complete the form, I give up control over my healthcare decisions. The directive only comes into effect if you are unable to make decisions yourself. Until then, you retain full control over your healthcare choices.

  4. My family knows what I want, so I don’t need a healthcare directive. Even if your family is aware of your wishes, having a documented directive ensures your healthcare preferences are followed precisely and relieves your loved ones from the burden of making difficult decisions during stressful times.

  5. A healthcare directive covers financial decisions. The Utah Healthcare Directive form only addresses healthcare decisions. Financial decisions require a different form, often known as a financial power of attorney.

  6. Once completed, the form cannot be changed. You can revoke or modify your healthcare directive at any time as long as you are competent to do so, ensuring that your current wishes are always documented.

  7. Completing a healthcare directive means I could be denied lifesaving treatment. The directive allows you to specify what treatments you do or do not want. It is your choice whether to request lifesaving treatments, refuse them, or ask that they be discontinued at a certain point.

  8. My healthcare directive from another state is not valid in Utah. While it's advisable to have a healthcare directive that complies with Utah law if you reside in the state, most states, including Utah, recognize directives completed in other states as long as they meet fundamental legal requirements.

  9. If I don’t have a healthcare directive, my doctor will make decisions for me. If you are unable to make decisions and do not have a healthcare directive, your doctor may look to family members or others close to you to make decisions. However, without a directive, there may be uncertainty or disagreements about what you would have wanted, potentially leading to decisions that don’t align with your preferences.

It's important to carefully consider completing a Utah Healthcare Directive form, clearly understanding what it entails and how it can provide peace of mind and clarity during unforeseen events. Being informed can help dispel these and other misconceptions.

Key takeaways

Understanding and completing the Utah Healthcare Directive form is a vital step in ensuring that your healthcare wishes are respected and adhered to, should you become unable to communicate your decisions. Here are eight key takeaways to guide you through the process:

  • Part I of the Directive allows you to appoint a health care agent. This is a trusted person you choose to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself. It's crucial to pick someone who understands your values and wishes.
  • If you decide not to appoint an agent, you must initial the box in Part I, section A. This action confirms your choice to navigate your healthcare decisions without an appointed proxy.
  • The document empowers your health care agent to make a wide range of decisions, including consenting to, refusing, or withdrawing any form of health care. This encompasses life-prolonging measures and the hiring or firing of healthcare providers.
  • Limitations or expansions of your agent's authority can be specified in Part I, indicating any specific directions or restrictions you wish to impose on your agent’s decision-making abilities.
  • In Part II, you articulate your health care wishes, especially concerning life-sustaining treatments. It's a vital section that guides your agent and healthcare providers about your preferences in various medical scenarios.
  • Revocation or modification of your directive is addressed in Part III, offering flexibility to alter your decisions as your preferences or circumstances change. It outlines several methods for revocation, including creating a new directive.
  • The document becomes legally binding once you complete, sign, and date Part IV, rendering it effective. Your signature legally revokes any previous healthcare directives, ensuring that this document represents your most current wishes.
  • A witness’s signature is required to validate your directive. The witness must meet specific criteria, such as not being related to you, not being entitled to benefit from your death, and not being responsible for your medical care, ensuring impartiality in the process.

Comprehensively completing the Utah Healthcare Directive form provides peace of mind and clarity about your healthcare preferences, significantly impacting how you are cared for in situations where you cannot express your wishes. Engaging with this process thoughtfully and thoroughly ensures that your health care decisions remain in trusted hands and align with your values.

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