The Vermont Directive Health Care form is a crucial document that allows individuals to outline their health care preferences and appoint a trusted person to make decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so. This form empowers you to express your treatment goals, specify limitations on care, and even address wishes related to organ donation and end-of-life arrangements. By taking the time to fill out this form, you ensure that your values and desires are respected during critical moments of care.
Ready to take control of your health care decisions? Fill out the Vermont Directive Health Care form by clicking the button below.
The Vermont Directive Health Care form is a crucial document that empowers individuals to take control of their health care decisions, especially in situations where they may be unable to communicate their wishes. This form allows you to appoint a trusted person, known as your health care agent, who can make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. In addition to naming an agent, the form provides sections for you to express your treatment goals and preferences, including what types of medical interventions you want or do not want. You can specify limitations on treatments such as CPR, breathing machines, feeding tubes, and antibiotics, ensuring that your values and beliefs guide your care. The form also addresses organ and tissue donation wishes and includes instructions for how to properly sign and witness the document. It is essential to discuss your preferences with family members and health care providers, as well as to keep copies of the completed form accessible to those involved in your care. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your health care choices are respected and followed, even when you cannot advocate for yourself.
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Vermont Advance Directive for Health Care
Prepared by the Vermont Ethics Network
EXPLANATION & INSTRUCTIONS
■You have the right to:
1.Name someone else to make health care decisions for you when or if you are unable to make them yourself.
2.Give instructions about what types of health care you want or do not want.
■It is important to talk with those people closest to you and with your health care providers about your goals, wishes and preferences for treatment.
■You may use this form in its entirety or you may use any part of it. For example, if you only want to choose an agent in Part One, you may fill out just that section and then go to Part Five to sign in the presence of appropriate witnesses.
■You are free to use another form so long as it is properly witnessed. More detailed forms providing greater options and information regarding mental health care preference can be found on the VEN website at www.vtethicsnetwork.org.
Part ONE of this form allows you to name a person as your “agent” to make health care decisions for you if you become unable or unwilling to make your own decisions. You may also name alternate agents. You should choose someone you trust, who will be com- fortable making what might be hard decisions on your behalf. They should be guided by your values in making choices for you and agree to act as your agent. You may fill out the Advance Directive form stating your medical preferences even if you do not identify an agent. Medical providers will follow your directions in the Advance Directive without an agent to their best ability, but having a person designated as your agent to make decisions for you will help medical providers and those who care for you make the best decisions in situ- ations that may not have been detailed in your Advance Directive. According to Vermont law, next-of-kin will not automatially make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. That is why it is best to appoint some- one of your choosing in advance.
Part TWO of this form lets you state Treatment Goals & Wishes. Choices are provided for you to express your wishes about having, not having, or stopping treatment under certain circumstances. Space is also provided for you to write out any additional or specific wishes based on your values, health condition or beliefs.
Part THREE of this form lets you express your wishes about Limitations of Treatment. These treatments include CPR, breathing machines, feeding tubes, and antibiotics. There is space for you to write any addition- al wishes. NOTE: If you DO NOT want CPR, a breathing machine, a feeding tube, or antibiotics, please discuss this with your doctor, who can complete a DNR/COLST order (Do Not Resuscitate/Clinician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment) to ensure that you do not receive treatments you do not want, especially in an emer- gency. Emergency Medical Personnel are required to provide you with life-saving treatment unless they have a signed DNR/COLST order specifying some limitation
Vermont Advance Directive Explanation and Instructions
of treatment. If there is no DNR/COLST order the emer- gency medical team will perform CPR as they will not have time to consult an Advance Directive, your family, agent, or physician.
Part FOUR of this form allows you to express your wish- es related to organ/tissue donation & preferences for funeral, burial and disposition of your remains.
Part FIVE is for signatures. You must sign and date the form in the presence of two adult witnesses. The fol- lowing persons may not be witnesses: your agent and alternate agents; your spouse or partner; parents; sib- lings; children or grandchildren.
You should give copies of the completed form to your agent and alternate agent(s), to your physician, your family and to any health care facility where you reside or at which you are likely to receive care. Please note who has a copy of your Advance Directive so it may be updated if your preferences change.
You are also encouraged to send a copy of your Advance Directive to the Vermont Advance Directive Registry with the Registration Agreement Form found at the end of this document.
You have the right to revoke all or part of this Advance Directive for Health Care or replace this form at any time. If you do revoke it, all old copies should be destroyed. If you make changes and have sent a copy of your original document to the Vermont Advance Directive Registry, be sure to send them a new copy or a notification of change form with information needed to update your Advance Directive there.
You may wish to read the booklet Taking Steps to help you think about and discuss different choices and situations with your agent(s) or loved ones.
Copies of Taking Steps can be purchased from:
Vermont Ethics Network
61 Elm Street
Montpelier, VT 05602.
Tel: (802) 828-2909
Fax: (802) 828-2646
www.vtethicsnetwork.org
For information about the Vermont Advance Directive Registry visit:
VEN website: www.vtethicsnetwork.org
or
Registry website at the Vermont Department of Health: www.healthvermont.gov/vadr
YOUR NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
DATE OF BIRTH
DATE
STATE
ZIP
PART ONE: YOUR HEALTH CARE AGENT
Your health care agent can make health care decisions for you when you are unable or unwilling to make decisions for yourself. You should pick someone that you trust, who understands your wishes and agrees to act as your agent. Your health care provider may NOT be your agent unless they are a relative.
Your agent may NOT be the owner, operator, employee or contractor of a residential care facility, health care
facility or correctional facility where you reside at the time your advance directive is completed.
I appoint this person to be my health care AGENT:
AGENT NAME
EMAIL
HOME PHONE
WORK PHONE
(If you appoint CO-AGENTS, list them on a separate sheet of paper)
CELL PHONE
If this agent is unavailable, unwilling or unable to act as my agent, I appoint this person as my ALTERNATE AGENT:
ALTERNATE AGENT NAME
Others who may be consulted about medical decisions on my behalf include:
Primary care provider (Physician, PA or Nurse Practitioner):
NAME
PHONE
Those who should NOT be consulted include:
(PART ONE CONTINUED NEXT PAGE)
12/18
ADVANCE DIRECTIVE, PAGE 2
DOB
I want my Advance Directive to start:
When I cannot make my own decisions
Now
When this happens:
PART TWO: HEALTH CARE GOALS AND SPIRITUAL WISHES
My overall health care goals include:
I want to have my life sustained as long as possible by any medical means.
I want treatment to sustain my life only if I will:
be able to communicate with friends and family. be able to care for myself.
live without incapacitating pain.
be conscious and aware of my surroundings.
I only want treatment directed toward my comfort.
Additional Goals, Wishes, or Beliefs I wish to express include:
People to notify if I have a life-threatening illness:
If I am dying it is important for me to be (check choice):
At home
In the hospital
Other:
No preference
My Spiritual Care Wishes include:
My Religion/Faith:
PLACE OF WORSHIP
The following items or music or readings would be a comfort to me:
ADVANCE DIRECTIVE, PAGE 3
PART THREE: LIMITATIONS OF TREATMENT
You can decide what kind of treatment you want or don't want if you become seriously ill or are dying. Regardless of the treatment limitations expressed, you have the right to have your pain and symptoms (nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath) managed. Unless treatment limitations are stated, the medical team is required and expected to do everything possible to save your life.
1. If my heart stops (choose one):
I DO want CPR done to try to restart my heart.
I DON’T want CPR done to try to restart my heart.
CPR means cardio (heart)-pulmonary (lung) resuscitation, including vigorous compressions of the chest, use of electrical stimulation, medications to support or restore heart function, and rescue breaths (forcing air into your lungs).
2. If I am unable to breathe on my own (choose one):
I DO want a breathing machine
I want to have a breathing
without any time limit.
machine for a short time to see
if I will survive or get better.
I DO NOT want a breathing machine for ANY length of time.
“Breathing machine” refers to a device that mechanically moves air into and out of your lungs such as a ventilator.
3. If I am unable to swallow enough food or water to stay alive (choose one):
I DO want a feeding tube
I want to have a feeding tube
without any time limits
for a short time to see if I will
survive or get better.
I DO NOT want a feeding tube for any length of time.
NOTE: If you are being treated in another state your agent may not automatically have the authority to withhold or withdraw a feeding tube. If you wish to have your agent decide about feeding tubes please check the box below.
I authorize my agent to make decisions about feeding tubes.
4. If I am terminally ill or so ill that I am unlikely to get better (choose one):
I DO want antibiotics or other medication to fight infection.
I DON’T want antibiotics or other medication to fight infection.
If you have stated you DO NOT want CPR, a breathing machine, a feeding tube, or antibiotics under any circum- stances, please discuss this with your doctor who can complete a DNR/COLST form to ensure you don’t receive treatments you don’t want, particularly in an emergency situation. A DNR/COLST order will be honored outside of the hospital setting.
Additional Limitations of Treatment I wish to include:
ADVANCE DIRECTIVE, PAGE 4
PART FOUR: ORGAN/TISSUE DONATION & BURIAL/DISPOSITION OF REMAINS
My wishes for organ & tissue donation (check your choices):
I consent to donate the following organs & tissues:
Any needed organs
Any needed tissue (skin, bone, cornea)
I do not wish to donate the following organs and tissues:
I do not want to donate any organs or tissues
I want my health care agent to decide
I wish to donate my body to research or educational program(s). (Note: you will have to make your own arrangements with a medical school or other program in advance.)
My Directions for Burial/Disposition of My Remains after I Die (check & complete):
I have a Pre-Need Contract for Funeral Arrangements:
I want the following individuals to decide about my burial or disposition of my remains (check your choices):
Agent
Alternate Agent
Family:
Specific Wishes (check your choices): I want a Wake/Viewing
I prefer a Burial — If possible at the following location: (cemetery, address, phone number)
I prefer Cremation — With my ashes kept or scattered as follows:
I want a Funeral Ceremony with a burial or cremation to follow
I prefer only a Graveside Ceremony
I prefer only a Memorial Ceremony with burial or cremation preceding
Other Details: (such as music, readings, Officiant)
ADVANCE DIRECTIVE, PAGE 5
PART FIVE: SIGNED DECLARATION OF WISHES
You must sign this before TWO adult witnesses. The following people may not sign as witnesses: your
agent(s), spouse, parents, siblings, children or grandchildren.
I declare that this document reflects my health care wishes and that I am signing this Advance Directive of my own free will.
SIGNED
I affirm that the signer appeared to understand the nature of this advance directive and to be free from duress or undue influence at the time this was signed. (Please sign and print)
FIRST WITNESS (PRINT NAME)
SIGNATURE
SECOND WITNESS (PRINT NAME)
If the person signing this document is being admitted to or is a current patient in a hospital, one of the follow- ing must sign and affirm that they have explained the nature and effect of the advance directive and the patient appeared to understand and be free from duress or undue influence at the time of signing: designated hospi- tal explainer, ombudsman, mental health patient representative, recognized member of the clergy, Vermont attorney, or Probate Court designee.
If the person signing this document is being admitted to or is a resident in a nursing home or residential care facility, one of the following must sign and affirm that they have explained the nature and effect of the advance directive and the resident appeared to understand and be free from duress or undue influence at the time of sign- ing: an ombudsman, recognized member of the clergy, Vermont attorney, Probate Court designee, des- ignated hospital explainer, mental health patient representative, clinician not employed by the facility, or appropriately trained nursing home/residential care facility volunteer.
The explainer as outlined above may also serve as one of the two required witnesses.
TITLE/POSITION
ADVANCE DIRECTIVE, PAGE 6
The following have a copy of my Advance Directive (please check):
Vermont Advance Directive Registry
Date registered:
Health care agent
Alternate health care agent
Doctor/Provider(s):
Hospital(s):
Family Member(s): Please list:
REGISTRATION AGREEMENT
VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SOURCE CODE: 53101301
Registry Use Only
Received:
Confirmed:
1.Read the Registration Policy, and complete this Registration Agreement. Please type or print clearly. Be sure to sign and date the form.
2.Attach either a copy of your advance directive, or optionally, an Advance Directive Locator form which indicates only the physical location of your advance directive so that it can be retrieved.
3.Registrations MUST include a completed and signed Registration Agreement form, and a copy of your advance
directive document.
4. MAIL to:
Vermont Advance Directive Registry (VADR)
PO Box 2789
Westfield, NJ 07091-2789
5. OR FAX to:
908- 654-1919
For additional information visit: http://healthvermont.gov/vadr/ or call 1-888-548-9455
Registrant
Name: First
Middle
Last
Suffix
Gender: Male
_
Female
Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY):
Primary Mailing Address:
Apt #
City/Town:
State:
Zip:
Phone: Home
Work
Other
Secondary Mailing Address:
Emergency Contacts
Primary: Name
Relationship to Registrant:
Mailing Address:
Work/Other:
Secondary: Name
I,
(print name) request that my advance directive be registered in the
Vermont Advance Directive Registry, and authorize its access as allowed by Vermont law. By signing below, I acknowledge and affirm that: the information provided is accurate; I have read, understand, and agree to the terms of the Registry Registration Policy; I will safeguard my registrant identification number and wallet card from unauthorized access; and I will immediately notify the Registry in writing of changes to my registration information or advance directive. I execute this agreement voluntarily and without coercion, duress, or undue influence by any party. I understand that anyone who has access to my wallet card can use it to gain access to my documents and personal information. This authorization remains in effect until I revoke it.
Signature of Registrant:
Date:
VERMONT ADVANCE DIRECTIVE REGISTRY
REGISTRATION POLICY
An advance directive is a legal document that conveys a person’s wishes regarding their health care treatment and end of life choices should they become incapacitated or otherwise unable to make those decisions. The Vermont Advance Directive Registry is a database that allows people to electronically store a copy of their advance directive document in a secure database. That database may be accessed when needed by authorized health care providers, health care facilities, residential care facilities, funeral directors, and crematory operators. For more information, visit: http://healthvermont.gov/vadr/.
1.To register an advance directive, the registrant must complete and send the Registration Agreement form along with a copy of the advance directive to:
The Vermont Advance Directive Registry
Westfield, New Jersey 07091-2789
2.Upon receipt of the Registration Agreement and attachments, the Registry will scan the advance directive and store it in the database along with registrant identifying information from
the Registration Agreement. The Registry will send a confirmation letter to the registrant along with a registration number, instructions for using the registration number to access documents at the Registry website, a wallet card, and stickers to affix to a driver’s license or insurance card. The registration is not effective until receipt of the confirmation letter and registration materials is made by registrant.
3.Registrants should share the registration number from the wallet card with anyone that should have access to their advance directives: for example, the registrant’s agent, family members, or physician. Anyone may access a person’s advance directive using the registration number. Additionally, when the registration number is not readily available, an authorized health care provider can search the Registry for a specific person’s advance directive using a registrant’s personal identifying information.
4.The registrant is responsible for ensuring that:
a.The advance directive is properly executed in accordance with the laws of the state of Vermont.
b.The copy of the advance directive sent to the Registry, if a photocopy of the original, is correct and readable.
c.The information in both the Registration Agreement and advance directive documents is accurate and up to date.
d.The Registry is notified as soon as possible of any changes to the advance directive or registration information by completing and submitting an Authorization to Change form with the changes appended, or preferably, with an updated copy of the advance directive to the Registry.
5.Initial registration as well as subsequent changes and updates to the registration information or the advance directive documents are free of charge.
6.The Registration Agreement shall remain in effect until the Registry receives reliable information that the registrant is deceased, or the registrant requests in writing that the Registration Agreement be terminated. When the Agreement is terminated, the Registry will remove registrant’s advance directive from the Registry database, and the file will no longer be accessible to providers.
7.Only the Registry can change the terms of the Registration Agreement.
The Vermont Advance Directive for Health Care form shares similarities with the Living Will. Both documents allow individuals to express their medical treatment preferences in case they become unable to communicate their wishes. A Living Will typically outlines specific treatments a person wishes to receive or refuse, such as life-sustaining measures. Like the Vermont form, it emphasizes the importance of discussing these preferences with loved ones and healthcare providers to ensure that decisions align with the individual’s values and beliefs.
Another document similar to the Vermont Advance Directive is the Health Care Power of Attorney. This form designates a specific person, known as an agent, to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the individual if they cannot do so themselves. The Vermont form also includes a section for appointing an agent, highlighting the importance of selecting someone trustworthy who understands the individual’s healthcare goals. Both documents aim to ensure that a person's healthcare wishes are respected and followed.
In addition to the Vermont Advance Directive and the Health Care Power of Attorney, it is important to explore comprehensive resources available for similar legal documents, such as the California Power of Attorney form, which can be a vital tool for managing personal and financial affairs. For those interested in reviewing or creating such documents, you can find helpful templates and resources at All California Forms, ensuring that your preferences and directives are clearly articulated and legally recognized.
The Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is another related document. A DNR specifies that a person does not wish to receive CPR or other life-saving measures in the event of cardiac arrest. While the Vermont Advance Directive allows individuals to express their preferences regarding resuscitation and other treatments, a DNR serves as a more specific and legally binding directive that healthcare providers must follow in emergency situations. Both documents are essential for guiding medical decisions when a person is incapacitated.
Lastly, the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form is comparable to the Vermont Advance Directive. POLST is designed for individuals with serious illnesses or those nearing the end of life. It translates a person's treatment preferences into actionable medical orders that healthcare providers must follow. Similar to the Vermont form, POLST emphasizes the need for clear communication about a person’s healthcare wishes and facilitates discussions with medical professionals to ensure that the individual’s preferences are honored during critical moments.
This form is designed for anyone over the age of 18, regardless of their health status. Young adults, especially those with specific health concerns, should consider completing it to ensure their wishes are respected.
You can choose to complete only certain parts of the form. For example, if you only wish to appoint an agent, you can fill out that section and sign it. The form remains valid as long as it is properly signed and witnessed.
Under Vermont law, next-of-kin do not automatically have the authority to make decisions on your behalf. It is essential to appoint someone you trust as your agent to ensure your wishes are followed.
In emergency situations, medical teams may not have time to consult your Advance Directive. If you have specific wishes about treatments like CPR or life support, you should discuss them with your doctor and consider a DNR/COLST order.
You have the right to revoke or change your Advance Directive at any time. If you make changes, ensure that all copies are updated, especially if one is filed with the Vermont Advance Directive Registry.
Your health care provider cannot serve as your agent unless they are a relative. This rule helps prevent conflicts of interest and ensures that your wishes are respected by someone who is not directly involved in your care.
You do not need a lawyer to complete the Vermont Directive Health Care form. It is designed to be user-friendly, allowing individuals to express their wishes without legal assistance.
It is crucial to share copies of your completed Advance Directive with your appointed agent, family members, and health care providers. This ensures that everyone involved in your care is aware of your wishes.