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Advance Directives

Planning ahead for your healthcare is important at any age. An accident or serious illness can happen unexpectedly, leaving you unable to make your own medical decisions. Advance Directives help ensure your wishes are known and respected by your family and healthcare team.

Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare

A Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare allows you to designate someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to communicate your wishes.

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Choose someone who:

  • Knows you well

  • Understands your healthcare preferences

  • Can advocate for your wishes

  • Is someone you trust to make difficult decisions

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Discuss Your Wishes

Talk with the person you choose about your preferences regarding:

  • Artificial nutrition and hydration (feeding tubes)

  • Life-sustaining treatments if recovery is unlikely

  • Comfort-focused care versus aggressive medical treatment

  • End-of-life care decisions

Living Will

A Living Will is a legal document that outlines the medical care you would or would not want if you become unable to communicate your wishes.

This document helps guide your healthcare providers and loved ones regarding:

  • Life-sustaining treatments

  • Use of medical equipment to prolong life

  • Comfort and pain management measures

  • Other end-of-life care preferences

Outside the Hospital Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure used when a person's heart or breathing stops.

Kansas law allows individuals to complete an Outside the Hospital Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order if they do not wish to receive CPR outside of a hospital or nursing home setting. This form must be completed with your physician.

Outside the hospital, DNR forms are available through:

  • Clay County Medical Center Social Services Department

  • CCMC Rural Health Clinics

  • Meadowlark Hospice

Your physician or healthcare provider can discuss this option and help determine whether it is appropriate for you.

Additional Considerations

When completing Advance Directives, you may also wish to consider:

  • Discussing your wishes with a clergy member or spiritual advisor

  • Becoming an organ, tissue, or eye donor

  • Talking with family members about your healthcare preferences

  • Learning more about hospice and comfort-focused care options

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Meadowlark Hospice

Meadowlark Hospice provides information about comfort care, pain management, and end-of-life care options.

Phone: 785-632-2225
Email: mhospice@ccmcks.org

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Advance Directives Forms

Advance Directive forms are available through the Wichita Medical Research and Education Foundation.

Contact Us

Social Services: 785-632-2144 ext. 3426
Case Management: 785-632-2144 ext. 3427

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