Life Care Planning is a process few of us want to think about. However, it is important because it allows us to make future health care treatment decisions now so that if we become incapacitated and unable to make these decisions, our family and doctors will know what medical care we want or do not want. State laws allow us to appoint a person to make decisions for us. These laws are called “advance directives” or “health care directives.”
Some of you have already decided on your Life Care Planning and have established a Durable Health Care Power of Attorney, Durable Mental Health Care Power of Attorney, Living Will (end of life care), Letter to your agent (representative) and a Pre-Hospital Medical Directive ( Do not resuscitate). Some of you have not done anything so perhaps it is time to act. In either case it is important to know about a Directive Registry.
A Directive Registry is a database for the storage of advance directives. The Arizona Secretary of State oversees Registry filings, its security and its operations. Health care providers may use the Registry to look up registered directives using the information provided to them by the registrant or the registrant’s loved ones.
You are encouraged to download a FREE packet of forms on Life Care Planning at www.azag.gov. In addition to the forms, the site includes information on the following: Understanding some of the medical choices related to Life Care Planning; Understanding the Law and our legal right to make health care decisions; Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Life Care Planning. This package is an invaluable tool to insure your wishes are followed. Please take a moment to check it out.
If you would like to register your Life Care Planning Forms in the Arizona Advance Directive Registry, you should contact the Office of the Arizona Secretary of State:
Arizona Advance Directive Registry
Arizona Secretary of State
1700 West Washington, 7th floor
Phoenix, Az 85007-2888
602-542-6187 or 800-458-5842
www.azsos.gov/Adv_Dir/
