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Related Links
Five Wishes / Health Care Directives
Due to recent stories in the media, people are talking about health care directives. A health care directive (HCD) is also called an advance directive or a living will. We use a document called Five Wishes.
What is Five Wishes?
Five Wishes is a health care directive that talks about your personal, emotional and spiritual needs, as well as your medical wishes. It's an easy-to-complete form that lets you say exactly what you want. Once its filled out and properly signed, it is valid under the laws of most states.
Five Wishes helps you communicate:
- The person you want to make care decisions for you when you can't
- The kind of medical treatment you want or don't want
- How comfortable you want to be
- How you want people to treat you
- What you want your loved ones to know
Why have a health care directive?
Health care providers will listen to what people close to you say about your treatment preferences, but the best way to be sure your wishes are followed is with an HCD. And the best time to create one is when you are healthy.
Before August 1, 1998, Minnesota law provided for several types of HCDs including living wills, durable health care power of attorney and mental health declaration. The law changed so that people can use one form - such as Five Wishes - for all health care instructions.
I need help completing a health care directive.
If you would like free assistance in completing your HCD, please call 651-232-0064 to request help from a trained volunteer. Volunteers are available for a phone conversation or to meet with you at Woodwinds Health Campus in Woodbury.
Where can I learn more about Five Wishes?
- Ask at your HealthEast Clinic
- Go to www.agingwithdignity.org/5wishes.html
