Advance Directives for Health Care Decision Making

Why are they important?

People have the right to make their own health care decisions. Advance directives can help people communicate their treatment choices when they would otherwise be unable to make such decisions. But what if you become incapable if making health care decisions for yourself because of injury or illness? Imagine that you are in a hospital, terminally ill with cancer and are confused.

Who will decide whether you should have CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if your heart should stop suddenly? Or what if you are 40 years old and are involved in a motor vehicle accident which leaves you permanently unconscious. Who will decide whether you are to be kept alive with tube feedings? Or what if you have Alzheimer’s Disease and you develop a serious infection in a nursing home. Who will decide whether or not you will be hospitalized and treated with antibiotics?

“Tennessee Law has changed”
You can remain in charge of your health care, even after you can no longer make decisions for yourself by creating a document called an “Advance Care Plan”.

Clicking the links on the right will take you to forms and information regarding Advanced Directives for HealthCare which meet the requirements of Tennessee Law. You may establish a different form with the help of your attorney, or you may choose not to have one. Establishing an Advance Care Plan for Healthcare is voluntary.