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An advance directive is what many people think of as a living will or a durable power of attorney for health care. It is a written document that outlines your wishes for medical treatment in the future, including if you are no longer able to make those decisions.

Advance directives need to be in writing. Each state has different forms and requirements for creating legal documents. Depending on where you live, a form may need to be signed by a witness or notarized. You can ask a lawyer to help you with the process, but it is generally not necessary.

It is a good idea to make an advance directive while you are well. You could become incompetent or unable to speak suddenly, for example, if you were in a serious car accident. Canadian courts have said that doctors and other health care providers must respect valid advance directives.

While there is no special advance directive for psychiatric care in Vermont, the Long Form Advance Directive or Disability Rights Vermont Form may be helpful to document what to do if a person loses capacity to give or withhold consent for treatment during an acute episode of a psychiatric illness.

A Vermont medical power of attorney form permits a resident to elect a healthcare surrogate who will execute their medical preferences while they are incapacitated and can no longer make competent decisions. The surrogate will be authorized to accept or deny healthcare treatments on the patient's behalf.

To register, submit a signed copy of your advance directive with your Combined Registration Agreement & Change Form to the Vermont Advance Directive Registry. Submissions that do not include both forms will be returned by mail for correction. You are not required by law to register an advance directive.