Advance Directive Information for Arizona

 Making decisions about critical, end-of-life healthcare choices can be overwhelming. eternalHealth is here to help. An Advance Directive promotes and maintains individual autonomy if an individual is unable to make decisions for themselves because of incapacitation. Arizona residents have four documents that are considered advanced directives. These include;

Healthcare Power of Attorney (HCPOA), is a document where an individual can appoint a proxy (legally referred to as an “Agent”) who makes medical decisions on an individual’s behalf if they are incapacitated. Providers and healthcare facilities are required to abide by an individual’s Agent’s decisions in place of the individual’s decision regarding their care. Health Care Power of Attorney documents do not provide for any financial decision-making powers.

Mental Health Power of Attorney is similar to a Healthcare Power of Attorney, where an individual can appoint a proxy to make decisions on your behalf concerning behavioral health placement and treatment in situations where you are no longer able to make such decisions due to mental or physical ailments. This incapacity may arise from conditions such as dementia, medication interactions, or a mental health diagnosis.

A Pre-Hospital Directive, commonly known as a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate), is a legally binding document signed by both you and a licensed healthcare professional. This directive communicates to emergency personnel that resuscitation measures should not be employed in the event of a medical emergency. If you possess this form, it means that EMTs and other emergency responders will refrain from utilizing equipment, medications, or devices to restart your heart or breathing. However, it’s important to note that they will still provide other necessary medical interventions to ensure your comfort, care, and pain relief. In the state of Arizona, it is required that this document be printed on orange paper for easy identification and recognition by healthcare providers.

A Living Will is a written document that provides your preferences for medical treatment in situations where you cannot communicate directly with your healthcare providers. Additionally, it serves as a valuable resource to inform and guide your designated healthcare power of attorney (HCPOA), should you have chosen one your preferences for medical treatment in situations where you cannot communicate directly with your healthcare providers. Additionally, it serves as a valuable resource to inform and guide your designated healthcare power of attorney (HCPOA), should you have chosen one.

eternalHealth is dedicated to providing accessible healthcare to all Arizonans. For more information about planning your Advanced Directives, please visit the Arizona Healthcare Directives Registry. The Arizona Healthcare Directives Registry is designed to help honor your end-of-life healthcare wishes by providing secure and seamless access to advance directives, documents that outline your healthcare preferences, across the continuum of care. The AzHDR provides a safe place to store and make accessible Arizonans’ advance directive documents so end-of-life care will be guided by their wishes.

Registering advance directives with the AZHDR is free to Arizona residents and offers easy access to participating healthcare providers – ensuring wishes registered are wishes honored.