Advance Directives
Missouri law authorizes any person age 18 years or older, providing they are legally competent, to make decisions concerning their own medical and surgical treatment. These decisions can range from routine medical care to withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining procedures, including the withholding or withdrawal of nutrition and hydration (food and water). The patient still has a right to nursing care and comfort measures.
Advance medical directives allow individuals to express and communicate their wishes regarding future healthcare decisions. Patients have the right to accept or refuse medical care. Through advance medical directives, individuals can protect this right in the event they become mentally or physically unable to choose or communicate their wishes due to an injury or illness.
The healthcare directive allows you to state in advance your wishes regarding the use of life-prolonging procedures. It may be relied upon when you have a terminal condition and are unable to communicate your healthcare decision. The healthcare directive needs only your signature and two witnesses. Notarization is optional.
Advance Directive Forms for SoutheastHEALTH
Download advance directive forms for Southeast Hospital:
- Healthcare Decisions/Advance Directive Form
- Missouri Bar Association's Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Healthcare Directive (Posted with permission from the Missouri Bar Association)
Download advance directive forms for Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County: