Advance directives.
You have the right to make certain decisions about your medical treatment. We can help.
Advance directive
An advance directive is a written, legal statement that protects your rights and wishes regarding certain medical treatments, procedures, and life-saving care. Your signed advance directive will be followed by your healthcare team, even if you are too ill to communicate with a doctor.
While it’s never easy to think about a time when you may not be able to speak for yourself, advanced directives can give you and your family peace of mind that your wishes are on record.
Living will.
A living will is a declaration that states whether or not you want to be kept alive by medical treatment when you have a terminal or end-stage illness, or if you are in a persistent vegetative state and unable to make decisions for yourself.
A living will requires two witnesses, including one person that is not a spouse or blood relative.
Designated healthcare surrogate.
You may choose to pick a designated healthcare surrogate which is another person who will have the legal authority to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. Once you sign the designated healthcare surrogate document, that person will be allowed to consult with your healthcare providers and consent to medical or surgical procedures they believe you would have agreed with.
This document requires two witnesses, including one person who is not a spouse or blood relative. Your healthcare surrogate may not serve as a witness.
Power of attorney for healthcare.
This legal document is very similar to the healthcare surrogate, except it is typically written by an attorney. A person with power of attorney for healthcare is approved to make medical decisions for you. This could include withholding or withdrawing life support, or provisions for food or water.
This document must be notarized and witnessed by two people, including one person who is not a spouse or blood relative.
Living will and health surrogate forms.
Testamento en vida.
Meet with an ethics consultant.
Advance directive FAQs
Florida law includes three types of advance directive documents*. Hospitals and nursing homes are required to ask you if you have an advance directive.
You may change or revoke your advance directive at any time, but those changes will not take effect until they are communicated with your healthcare provider.
We suggest you keep your advance directives easily available in a safe or another secure place in your house, rather than a safety deposit box.
You should bring your advance directive documents to the hospital each time you are scheduled to be admitted or coming in for surgery, and discuss your wishes with your health care providers. You should also give a copy to the person who is named as your health care surrogate or your power of attorney for health care.
We also recommend you give a copy of your advance directives to your primary care doctor so it's part of your medical records.
You will be able to receive medical care whether or not you have an advance directive. If, at any time, you are incapable of making medical decisions during your hospitalization and you do not have a health care surrogate, the hospital is required by law to find a proxy who will make decisions for you.
Health First keeps living will and health care surrogate forms available in the nursing units or you can click the link below to fill them out at home. Your physician, nurse, social worker, pastoral care, or ethics committee will be happy to answer any questions you have about advance directives.
Yes, we would be happy to answer any questions about advance directives. You can ask your doctor, nurse or social worker or give us a call to speak to someone in pastoral care or our ethics committee.
You can also reach out to Brevard County Legal Aid: 321.631.2500
You can call your attorney if you need legal advice, or call the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 800.342.8011 or Brevard County Legal Aid at 321.631.2500.
Five Wishes
We know it may feel difficult to plan end-of-life care. We invite you to download a copy of Five Wishes, an easy-to-read document that explains your options and helps you make a plan before a crisis happens. Five Wishes takes into account your medical, emotional, personal, and spiritual needs and can be a helpful guide in discussing your wishes with your family and your healthcare providers.
*The legal basis for these rights can be found in the Florida Statutes: Life-Prolonging Procedure Act, Chapter 765; Durable Power of Attorney; Section 709.08; and Court Appointed Guardianship., Chapter 744; and in the Florida Supreme Court decision on the constitutional right of privacy, Guardianship of Estelle Browning, 1990.