We can't respect your choices for future medical care
unless we know what they are.

At Martha Jefferson, we are making it easier for you to tell us about your choices. We are committed to providing medical care that respects your goals and values. We honor your right to make decisions about your treatment. To be sure we understand your wishes, we are glad to help you think about care you might want in the future through advance care planning. Advance care planning is a process that continues throughout our lives. It includes:

• understanding that you can guide your care, even if you become unable to make decisions, by completing an advance directive.
• understanding your current health condition, potential consequences of this condition, treatment options and their benefits and risks.
• reflecting on your personal goals, values and beliefs,
• discussing these things with your family, doctor, friends, and spiritual leaders
• preparing a written plan (an advance directive) so we will understand who you want to make decisions for you and your wishes for care.
• reviewing your plan as time goes by to be sure it still reflects your wishes.

An advance directive is a witnessed legal document that tells us who you want to make decisions if you are unable to do so. It may include guidelines about treatments you do or do not want. Though we encourage everyone over age eighteen to complete an advance directive, you are not required to do this. If you are ever admitted to the hospital, please bring a copy of your advance directive so we can honor your wishes. If you do not have an advance directive, we encourage you to consider completing one.

Please click on the links below for information about advance directives and to see the suggested form, which you may print. If you prefer, we will mail the advance directive form to you. Email your request to info@mjh.org or call Martha Jefferson Health Connection at 434-654-7009 or toll free 1-888-652-6663.