ADVANCE DIRECTIVES
Your right to make health care decisions under the law in Utah.

Utah and federal law give every competent adult, 18 years or older, the right to make their own health care decisions, including the right to decide what medical care or treatment to accept, reject, or discontinue. If you do not want to receive certain types of treatment r you wish to name someone to make health care decisions for you, you have the right to make these desires known to your doctor, hospital, or other health care providers, and in general, have these rights respected. You also have the right to be told about the nature of your illness in terms that you can understand, the general nature of the proposed treatments, the risks of failing to undergo these treatments and any alternative treatments or procedures that may be available to you.

However, there may be times when you cannot make your wishes known to your doctor or other health care providers. For example, if you were taken to a hospital in a coma, would you want the hospital's medical staff to know what your specific wishes are about the medical care that you want or do not want to receive.

This booklet describes what Utah and federal law have to say about your rights to inform your health care providers about medical care and treatment you want or do not want and about your right to select another person to make these decisions for you, if you are mentally or physically unable to make them for yourself.

To make these difficult issues easier to understand, Hospice For Utah provides classes around the valley to help people make their wishes clear and legal. If you are interested in attending a class, please call any of our offices.