Advanced Directives

Health Care Decisions for Your Future

People everywhere are being faced with decisions about issues such as life support, nutrition and resuscitation efforts for themselves and family members. Sidney Health Center knows the importance of such issues. We would like to provide you with some information to help answer questions you might have.

Advance Directives - Stating Your Medical Wishes in Writing

Advance Directives are documents which state your choices about medical treatment or name someone to make decisions about your medical treatment if you are unable to make these decisions or choices yourself. They are called “advance” directives, because they are signed in advance to let your doctor and other health care providers know your wishes concerning medical treatment. Through advance directives, you can make legally valid decisions about your future medical care. Montana law recognizes two types of advance directives:

• Living Will Declaration
• Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care

A brochure describing Advance Directives, including sample forms, is available from the Sidney Health Center Admissions desk. If you have established an Advance Directive, it is recommended that you share a copy with your doctor. It is also recommended to keep a copy on file in your hospital medical record. To place a copy of your Advance Directive on file with Sidney Health Center, please forward a photocopy of the directive to our Health Information Services Department.
Additional information about Advance Directives is available from the following resources:

• Put It In Writing – sponsored by the American Hospital Association
• Montana’s End-of-Life Registry – administered by the Montana Attorney General’s Office