An Advance Directive is a written plan that helps your loved ones and healthcare providers make important decisions about your care during a crisis. It speaks for you when you are unable to speak for yourself and provides directions about the care you want or don’t want. The Idaho Advance Directive has two parts: the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Living Will.
It is safe and easy to create, share, and store your Advance Directive through the Idaho Healthcare Directive Registry.
Step 1: Think about what is most important to you. Take time to reflect on the important things in your life that will guide you to make decisions about healthcare options if you become seriously ill. This planning worksheet may help you think through these decisions.
Step 2: Identify someone you trust to serve as your Healthcare Agent. A Healthcare Agent is the person who will speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself. You may also identify alternate Healthcare Agents in the event your primary agent is unable to serve. You identify your Healthcare Agent on the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare section of the Advance Directive.
Step 3: Consider the kind of life-sustaining medical treatments you want or do not want during a crisis or at the end of life. You can identify these decisions on the Living Will section of your Advance Directive. You can also include other directions about your goals and wishes for your medical care.
Step 4: Create and store your Advance Directive through the Idaho Healthcare Directive Registry. The online form is safe, secure, and easy to use. When you use the online form, it immediately becomes part of the registry. If you cannot use the online form, you may create your Advance Directive by printing a copy of the form, filling it out, and sending it with the registration coversheet to the Idaho Healthcare Directive Registry. IHDR@dhw.Idaho.gov or Idaho Healthcare Directive Registry, 450 W. State St., PO Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0036.