Living Wills & Advance Directives
Adults who are capable of making health care decisions have the right to accept or refuse medical treatment. Patients admitted to the hospital receive Information designed to help them understand choices in advance of treatment. You may wish to discuss these matters with your family, close friends, clergy, doctors and attorneys before deciding your preference.
For more information on Advance Directives and your right to make health care decisions, we recommend the resources listed below.
Your state's Advance Directives
Helpful Links
- Put It In Writing – from the American Hospital Association
- Caring Connections – from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
- Living Wills Offer Peace of Mind
- How to Write a Living Will
- Answers to Your Advanced Care Questions
- Advanced Directive Quiz
- Living Wills Offer Peace of Mind
Aging with Dignity
Aging with Dignity, a non-profit organization, offers "Five Wishes," an easy-to-use legal document that lets adults of all ages plan how they want to be cared for in case they become seriously ill. The cost is $5. Learn more at Aging with Dignity.
"Five Wishes” is a tool for discussion and should not be used as an advance directive that can be given to the physician or hospital.
Ethical Concerns
During the course of your medical care, if you have questions about situations that may arise from treatments, procedures and/or other concerns about your care, discuss these questions with your physician and/or caregiver.
If your situation is not resolved or if you need additional information, contact:
- Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital compliance officer at (712) 396-6084
- Methodist Hospital Administration (402) 354-4441
- Methodist Women's Hospital Administration (402) 815-1122
