Advance Directives Caregiver Version

Different types of Different types of
Advance Directives Advance Directives

Instructional: Agent Driven:
This legal document names someone to be
An Instructional Advanced Directive consumer’s health care agent in the event
allows competent people to instruct he/she is no longer competent. This is
providers regarding the health care they called Durable Power Attorney (DPOA)
would like to receive during a time of and the health care agent may be called a
crisis. Particularly when a person is “proxy agent” or “attorney-in-fact.”
unable to make their own decisions.
DPOA: Durable Power of Attorney
Options for Instructional Advance With a DPOA, a consumer empowers the
Directives: attorney-in-fact to make medical treatment
decisions on behalf of a consumer when he
A) Willing to live or she is unable to
A special case of an Advanced Directive,
which describes the conditions in which Instructional and Agent Driven
life supports would or would not be Advance Directives
provided to an incompetent person A consumer can create both an
“instructional” Advance Directive clearly
B) Statement of Mental Health stating his/her wishes AND have a durable
Treatment Wishes: power of attorney (DPOA) to ensure that
An advance Directive where, among the consumer’s wishes are followed as
other things, consumer can state: stated in the Instructional Advance
Directive.
1) Emergency intervention references
Consumer Action Network
2) Consent or non-consent for
experimental studies or drug trials 1300 L Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
3) Who is to be prohibited from visiting
him/her in the hospital. 202.842.0001 | 202.842.2685 (f)

Yes You Can! Email: [email protected]
Website: www.can-dc.org or

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Consumer Action Network (CAN) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization established
by consumers. CAN’s mission is the empowerment of mental health consumers by
promoting recovery and self advocacy.

What must CSWs and Other Why are Advance Directives How do Advance Directives aid
Clinical Staff Not Do? Important? the recovery process?

It is unlawful for any health care  They are required by Dixon Exit Criteria  Provides context for consumer-driven
provider to: and MHRS (Mental Health Rehabilitation treatment
Services) Certification Standards as an
 Create an Advance Directive for a option to consumers for crisis planning  Encourages consumers to plan proactively
Consumer for their recovery
 Helpful for consumers proactively to state
 Witness or sign an Advance Directive for their treatment wishes during times in  Sets the stage for an on-going partnering
a consumer which they may be incapacitated relationships with care provider

 Withhold information about the option to  Serves as a tool to help consumers and  Enables consumers to become more
create an Advance Directive from their treatment providers work as partners responsible/accountable in their treatment
consumers and/or family members of in the treatment planning, according to
consumers under age 18 recovery principles. What if a consumer wants
to change their
An Advance Directive is a Consumer’s How can Advance Directives be useful
choice not “Care Provider’s” Plan to Consumers and Providers? Advance Directive?

 Encourage the consumer to take their HELPS: Consumers/Providers think about Mental health consumers can change or cancel
time writing their Advance Directives. what works and does not work in a their Advance Directives at any time.
consumer’s mental health treatment
 Support a consumer to carefully consider A consumer can write new ones, destroy old
the peers, providers, friends, and loved FOSTERS: Discussions about treatment ones, and/or tell those involved in your care
ones they trust to ensure their treatment options/preference between consumers, that they have changed their mind.
preferences are followed as written. providers, and loved ones
If a consumer determines they wish to make
 Remind the consumer that everyone EMPOWERS: Consumers to make own changes to their Advance Directive, it is very
involved in their Advanced Directive must decisions for care in advance important that treatment providers encourage
give their consent to participate. the consumer to let everyone involved in their
GIVES: Consumers opportunity for more health care, including all mental health
 Provide the consumer with access to control in their treatment planning professionals, know that the consumer’s
Advance Directive resources. wishes have changed.

 Offer an Initial Advance Directive If the Advance Directive needs to be distrib-
planning worksheet to help consumers plan uted to multiple individuals, have the
out their Advance Directives consumer ensure it is correctly dated.

 Encourage consumers to be as specific as
possible in written instructions in DPOA