The Pennsylvania Advance Health Care Directive includes decisions related to end-of-life care that are not necessarily "medical decisions." These decisions could include the following:
In the Pennsylvania Advance Health Care Directive, you decide when your medical decision maker can act and direct care on your behalf. The medical decision maker is the durable medical power of attorney. You should select a person who is comfortable with your expressed medical wishes and can make them known to your doctor and health care team.
You can choose whether the durable medical power of attorney becomes the decision maker as soon as the document is filled out and signed or when you are unable to make your own choices. While only one person can be the medical decision maker, you can choose whether your medical decision maker follows your wishes with total flexibility, some flexibility, or no flexibility.
For more information, or to talk with someone about advance care planning, contact the UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute at:
For more information about advance directives, download Pennsylvania Advance Health Care Directive (PDF).
