Advance Care Planning
Make Your Wishes Known With a Health Care Directive
Accidents and illness can happen at any age. If you can’t speak for yourself, who will speak for you? Making your health care wishes known ahead of time to friends and family through advance care planning will help decrease uncertainty in the event that you are unable to communicate. Have the conversation with your friends and family today about your wishes and then document in a health care directive.
What Is a Health Care Directive?
A Health Care Directive is a written document that informs others about your health care wishes if you are unable to speak for yourself.
By law in Minnesota, health care directives need to meet certain criteria and are legal documents after they are notarized or witnessed.
- Before submitting your health care directive, go over this checklist.
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Once you have completed the health care directive:
- Make a copy of the document for your loved ones and a copy for your medical record at CentraCare. Save the original for your records.
- For methods on how to submit your directive to CentraCare, refer to the checklist.
Need Help Filling Out Your Health Care Directive?
Free Educational Sessions are offered in-person or virtually through CentraCare’s community partner, Honoring Choices.
Need a Health Care Directive Form?
Printable forms in seven languages and resources can be found at Health Care Directive Downloads.
Have a Question About Advance Care Planning?
Email ACPQuestions@centracare.com.
Advance Care Planning and Health Care Directive Resources
We encourage you to learn more about Advance Care Planning. Read a St. Cloud Times' story on a family's experience. Watch a National Healthcare Decisions Day video to learn more.
