Fill in Your 5 Wishes Document Form

The Five Wishes document is an important tool for expressing your healthcare preferences and ensuring your wishes are respected during difficult times. However, it often works best in conjunction with several other documents that can provide a more comprehensive view of your healthcare desires and legal arrangements. Below is a list of forms and documents commonly used alongside the Five Wishes document.

• Living Will: This document outlines your preferences regarding medical treatment in situations where you are unable to communicate your wishes. It typically focuses on life-sustaining treatments, allowing you to specify what measures you do or do not want taken to prolong your life.
• Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: This form allows you to designate someone as your healthcare agent, giving them the authority to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. This document is crucial for ensuring that someone you trust can advocate for your wishes.
• Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: A DNR order is a medical order that prevents healthcare providers from performing CPR if your heart stops or you stop breathing. It’s an important document for those who wish to avoid aggressive life-saving measures in certain situations.
• Healthcare Proxy: Similar to a durable power of attorney, a healthcare proxy allows you to appoint someone to make medical decisions for you. This document can work alongside your Five Wishes to clarify who should be consulted about your care.
• Organ Donation Registration: This document indicates your wishes regarding organ donation after your death. It can be included in your healthcare directives to ensure that your preferences are known and respected.
• Advance Directive: This is a broader term that encompasses both living wills and durable powers of attorney. An advance directive provides guidance on your healthcare preferences and appoints someone to make decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself.
• Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale: This document records the transfer of ownership of a vehicle from one party to another, providing proof of the transaction and essential information about the buyer, seller, and the vehicle itself. Utilizing this form can help ensure a smooth ownership transfer process, as highlighted in Templates and Guide.
• Patient Advocate: This document appoints a patient advocate who can help navigate the healthcare system on your behalf. This person can assist in communicating your wishes and ensuring that your healthcare needs are met.
• Medical Records Release Form: This form allows your designated healthcare agent or family members to access your medical records. It ensures that they have the necessary information to make informed decisions regarding your care.
• Funeral Planning Document: While not strictly a healthcare document, this form outlines your wishes for funeral arrangements. Including this information can alleviate stress for your loved ones during a difficult time.

Using these documents in conjunction with the Five Wishes form can help ensure that your healthcare preferences are clearly communicated and respected. It’s essential to discuss these forms with your loved ones and healthcare providers to make sure everyone understands your wishes. This proactive approach can bring peace of mind to both you and your family.

When filling out the Five Wishes Document form, there are important guidelines to follow. Here are five things you should and shouldn't do:

• Do read the entire form carefully before filling it out.
• Don't leave any sections blank; ensure all required fields are completed.
• Do discuss your wishes with your chosen health care agent and family members.
• Don't choose someone who may not be able to advocate for your wishes effectively.
• Do keep a copy of the completed form in a safe place and inform your agent and family where it is located.

1. What is the Five Wishes document?

   The Five Wishes document is a legal form that allows individuals to express their personal, emotional, and spiritual needs, along with their medical preferences, in the event they become seriously ill. It is designed to ensure that a person's wishes regarding health care are honored when they are unable to communicate those wishes themselves.

2. Who can use the Five Wishes document?

   Anyone aged 18 or older can utilize the Five Wishes document. This includes married individuals, single people, parents, adult children, and friends. Over 19 million people have already completed this form, making it a widely accepted tool for advance care planning.

3. How does Five Wishes differ from a traditional living will?

   Unlike a traditional living will, which typically focuses solely on medical treatment preferences, Five Wishes encompasses a broader range of considerations. It addresses not only medical wishes but also how individuals want to be treated and what they want their loved ones to know about their values and beliefs.

4. Is the Five Wishes document legally binding?

   Yes, once filled out and properly signed, the Five Wishes document is valid under the laws of most states. However, it is important to check whether your state recognizes this document as an advance directive. The document is accepted in the District of Columbia and 42 states.

5. How can I change my existing advance directive to Five Wishes?

   If you already have a living will or durable power of attorney for health care and wish to switch to Five Wishes, simply complete and sign the Five Wishes document. This new document will revoke any previous advance directives. It is advisable to destroy copies of the old documents and inform your healthcare agent and family members about your new wishes.

6. What should I consider when choosing a Health Care Agent?

   Your Health Care Agent should be someone who knows you well, understands your wishes, and is willing to advocate for you. This person should be at least 18 years old and ideally someone who can be present when decisions need to be made. Avoid choosing a health care provider or anyone who may have a conflict of interest in your care.

7. Can I change my mind after designating a Health Care Agent?

   Yes, you can change your mind about your Health Care Agent at any time. To do so, you must destroy all copies of the Five Wishes document and inform your family and healthcare providers of your decision to revoke the previous designation.

8. What happens if I live in a state that does not recognize Five Wishes?

   If your state is not one of the 42 states that recognize Five Wishes, the document may not meet the technical requirements of your state’s laws. However, many individuals still complete the Five Wishes form alongside their state’s legal requirements. Most healthcare professionals will respect your wishes, regardless of the format in which they are expressed.