Advance Directives

In Ohio, "advance directives" is the term used to describe three types of legal documents you can complete to express your wishes regarding your future health care: (1) a durable power of attorney for health care (POA), (2) a declaration for mental health treatment, and (3) a living will. An advance directive can be an important tool for you as a consumer of mental health and other disability services to guide your care should your attending physician determine that you lack capacity to make your own health care choices.

Disability Rights Ohio Publications

• Advance Directives for Mental Health Treatment in Ohio
• The What-if? Workbook (PDF file)

If you are looking for general information about advance directives, refer to "Choices: Living Well at the End of Life" and its companion guide "Conversations That Light the Way" published by the Midwest Care Alliance. To download the publications: Advance Directives: Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney

Sample forms

• Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Form (PDF file)
• State of Ohio Declaration for Mental Health Treatment (PDF file)

Information from other organizations

• My Plan, My Life
• National Resource Center on Psychiatric Advance Directives
• Midwest Care Alliance
• Power in Planning: Self Determination through Advance Psychiatric Directives (Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law)
• Psychiatric Advance Directives (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
• Psychiatric Advance Directives Position Statement (National Mental Health Association)

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Links updated February 2013