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Advance Directive for Health Care Form - Wisconsin
A Wisconsin Advance Directive 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.
A Wisconsin Advance Directive is defined by § 154.02 and regulated by Chapter 154 . The document must be witnessed by two (2) legal adults. Download a ready-made version of the document through the link below or make your own with our online form builder.
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). There is a difference between this form and a Living Will in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin Advance Directive?
An Advance Directive is a set of forms that specify an individual's medical treatment preferences and become effective if the individual becomes terminally ill, is seriously injured, in the late stages of dementia or in a coma. The set includes a Living Will and a Medical Power of Attorney - otherwise known as a Health Care Power of Attorney or a Health Care Proxy.
- Living Wills are written for health care professionals and specify the types of life-prolonging treatments or procedures to perform if the individual is in a terminal condition or in a persistent vegetative state.
- A Medical Power of Attorney allows the individual to name a health care proxy to make medical decisions if they become unable to make those decisions for themselves. It is important that the designated proxy knows and understands the patient's wishes and preferences and has a written copy of the Advance Directive for Health Care.
How to Write an Advance Directive in Wisconsin?
Making an Advance Care Directive in Wisconsin usually features the following steps:
STEP 1 - Elect a health care proxy - or agent - to make medical decisions on your behalf. Be sure to choose a person willing to respect and follow your wishes
STEP 2 - Write down your wishes regarding any limitations in medical treatment. Specify whether you agree to be on a dialysis machine, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine, receive CPR or take antibiotics to treat infections
STEP 3 - Make decisions regarding the possibility of organ and tissue donation and state your preferences regarding burial and the disposition of remains.
STEP 4 - Keep the original signed and certified form, hand a copy out to your agent and ask your doctor to keep a copy of your document with your medical records.
Download Advance Directive for Health Care Form - Wisconsin
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