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Advance Directive for Health Care Form - Maine
A Maine Advance Directive for Health Care is a set of instructions about preferred medical care that takes effect when a patient becomes unable to make decisions. In addition to listing preferences for medical care, the form provides individuals with the option of appointing a health care proxy. A health care proxy - otherwise known as a health care agent or surrogate - is a person who has the authority to make health-related decisions on another person's behalf.
Make your own Advance Directive with our form builder or download a pre-made form through the link below.
If an individual has never had an Advance Directive made, any health care decisions may be made for them by a court-appointed guardian (a spouse, an adult child, an adult sibling, an adult relative or a professional). The document is regulated by Title 18-A Article 5 (Protection of Persons Under Disability and Their Property) of the Probate Code. The declaration must be in writing and signed two (2) witnesses.
There is a difference between this form and a Living Will in Maine. A Living Will is a specific type of an Advance Directive for Health Care that becomes effective only in the event of a terminal illness.
What Is a Maine Advance Directive?
An Advance Directive is a document in which an individual states their preferences regarding health care procedures that become effective when they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves. The contents can be updated and changed as often as the individual wishes.
The form includes two parts in total:
- A Living Will - a specific type of Advance Directive which can also be used on its own - is a signed and witnessed document called a "declaration" or "directive" with instructions for an attending physician to withhold or withdraw certain medical interventions once the signer is no longer able to verbally make decisions about medical treatment.
- A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is a notarized document in which the signer designates an agent to make health-related decisions on their behalf.
How to Write an Advance Directive in Maine?
- Decide on whether you want to include a Living Will in your advance health care instructions.
- If you decided to include a Living Will be specific about such things as CPR, breathing machines, antibiotics, kidney dialysis, tube-feeding, and certain surgical procedures that you are willing to authorize.
- Discuss your decisions with your partner or spouse, your doctor, and your attorney.
- Elect a decision-maker - a health care proxy or agent. Choose someone you believe will be able to follow your wishes whatever those may be. This will help ensure that your wishes are carried out correctly and in full.
- Give a copy of the document to your health care proxy and ask for it to be kept in a safe place. Keep the original in an easy-to-find place. Do not lock it in a safe-deposit box or filing cabinet that only you can access.
Download Advance Directive for Health Care Form - Maine
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