Fill a Valid 5 Wishes Document Form

How to Use 5 Wishes Document

When it comes to planning for future healthcare decisions, the Five Wishes document is a unique tool that allows individuals to outline their preferences in personal, emotional, and spiritual care in addition to medical wishes. The simplicity of the form ensures that individuals can express their wishes clearly, making it easier for family members and healthcare providers to follow through when the time comes. Upon completion and proper witnessing, the document becomes legally valid in a majority of states, serving as a poignant reminder of one’s desires during critical health moments. The document is structured into five key wishes, guiding individuals through a comprehensive approach to planning for future healthcare decisions.

Here are the steps needed to properly fill out the Five Wishes Document:

1. Start with Wish 1: Designating your Health Care Agent.
   1. Enter the full name, address, and phone number of your first-choice Health Care Agent.
   2. Specify your second and third choices for a Health Care Agent, including their full names, addresses, and phone numbers. These alternates will step in if your first choice is unable or unwilling to make decisions on your behalf.
2. Understand the criteria for when your Health Care Agent will begin making decisions on your behalf. This often requires the confirmation by your attending physician and another healthcare professional that you’re unable to make your own healthcare decisions.
3. Consider carefully who to appoint as your Health Care Agent. This person should be someone you trust to follow your wishes, someone capable of making tough decisions, and ideally, someone who lives nearby or can be available when needed.
4. Wish 2 to 5: Although the specific instructions for filling out Wishes 2 to 5 are not detailed here, follow a similar approach. Read each section carefully and express your preferences regarding your medical treatment, comfort levels, how you wish to be treated by others, and what you want your loved ones to know.
5. In each section that asks for a choice to be made or a box to be checked, make sure to reflect on your values and wishes before making a decision. If a section allows for additional comments or specifies further details, use those opportunities to outline your thoughts and instructions clearly.
6. Review the document to ensure all sections are completed according to your wishes. It’s crucial to have open and honest discussions with your designated Health Care Agent(s) and loved ones about the choices you’ve made in your Five Wishes document.
7. Once the document is filled out, follow the instructions for making it legally valid, which typically includes signing the document in the presence of witnesses and/or a notary, depending on your state’s requirements.

After completing the Five Wishes document, remember to keep it in a safe, yet accessible place, and provide copies to your Health Care Agent, family members, and your doctor. Making these preparations in advance can bring peace of mind to you and your loved ones, ensuring decisions about your healthcare align with your personal desires and values.

What is the Five Wishes Document?

The Five Wishes Document is a comprehensive tool that allows individuals to dictate their preferences for medical treatment, comfort, and care in situations where they may be unable to communicate their desires directly. It addresses personal, emotional, spiritual, and medical aspects of end-of-life care, making it the first living will of its kind. Authored with the insight of The American Bar Association's Commission on Law and Aging and leading end-of-life care experts, it is designed to be easy to use, requiring the user to simply fill out their wishes in a straightforward format. Significantly, once properly completed and signed according to state laws, it is legally valid in most states.

Who should use Five Wishes?

Five Wishes is designed for anyone aged 18 or older, regardless of their current health status. This includes those who are married, single, parents, adult children, and friends. Over 19 million individuals across various ages have already utilized it, and it is recommended by professionals in legal, medical, and spiritual communities. Its universal applicability makes it a crucial document for anyone wishing to have their medical and personal wishes respected during serious illness or at the end of life.

Is Five Wishes recognized in all states?

Five Wishes meets the legal requirements for an advance directive in the District of Columbia and 42 states. If you reside outside of these areas, it is advisable to complete Five Wishes alongside your state’s legal form to ensure your wishes are known and considered. While not all states officially recognize Five Wishes due to varying technical requirements, many healthcare professionals and facilities across the country will respect the preferences outlined in it as it offers a clear expression of one's wishes for end-of-life care.

How can Five Wishes help families?

Five Wishes facilitates open conversations among family members, friends, and healthcare providers about one's personal wishes for medical treatment and end-of-life care, thus reducing uncertainty and stress in difficult times. By clearly outlining one's preferences, it helps ensure that family members are not left guessing about what their loved one wants, thereby preventing potential conflicts and ensuring that the person's wishes are respected. It also provides a sense of peace and preparedness for everyone involved.

What if I already have a living will or health care power of attorney?

If you currently have a living will or a health care power of attorney and wish to switch to Five Wishes, you simply need to complete and sign the Five Wishes document as directed, which automatically revokes any previous directives. It's important to communicate this change to your health care agent, family members, and care providers, and to destroy all copies of the old directives to prevent confusion and ensure that your current wishes are followed.

How do I choose the right person to make health care decisions for me?

Choosing a health care agent is a vital part of completing Five Wishes. This person should be someone you trust deeply, who understands your values, and is willing to advocate for your wishes, even in challenging circumstances. They should be at least 18 years of age and should not be your healthcare provider or an employee of your healthcare facility, to avoid potential conflicts of interest. Ensuring this person is willing and able to perform this role is crucial, as they will be responsible for making healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself.

1. Failing to select a health care agent who is consistently available or geographically nearby can create logistical challenges in emergency situations. If the chosen agent is unable to quickly travel or does not live close enough to be present when decisions need to be made, this can delay crucial healthcare actions.

2. Choosing a health care agent without discussing their wishes in depth with them can lead to misunderstandings or reluctance on the agent's part when it's time to make decisions. It's vital that the health care agent fully understands and agrees to carry out the individual's wishes.

3. Not considering the emotional capacity of the chosen health care agent can be a mistake. The role requires making difficult decisions under stress, and if the agent is overly emotional or unable to cope with the responsibility, they may not be able to act in the individual's best interest.

4. Overlooking the importance of alternates can be problematic. If the primary agent is unable or unwilling to serve at the necessary time, having no alternate agents listed can complicate the decision-making process.

5. Ignoring the legal and relationship status changes of the chosen agent (such as divorce or estrangement) can invalidate their suitability as a health care agent. Regularly revisiting and updating the document to reflect current relationships and statuses is crucial.

6. Not being comprehensive or specific about the kinds of decisions the agent is allowed to make can lead to confusion and conflict. For example, if the document does not clearly state the agent's authority regarding the withdrawal of life support, it could cause family disagreements or legal complications.

In conclusion, while the Five Wishes document provides a valuable way to express healthcare and personal wishes, careful consideration and detailed discussion are required to ensure that one's choices are understood and respected. Mistakes can be minimized by selecting an agent who is willing, able, and fully informed of their responsibilities, and by keeping the document up to date with any changes in one's personal or legal circumstances.

The Five Wishes Document is a crucial tool for expressing your health care preferences and ensuring your well-being is managed according to your desires, particularly in times when you might not be able to communicate your wishes yourself. While this document is comprehensive in its scope, incorporating other forms and documents can reinforce your intentions and provide a more robust legal and personal plan. Here is a list of other essential documents that are often used alongside the Five Wishes Document.

• Living Will: Specifies your wishes regarding medical treatment if you're unable to communicate. It usually focuses on end-of-life care.
• Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: Authorizes a specific person to make health care decisions on your behalf if you're incapacitated.
• Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: A doctor's order that tells all other medical personnel not to perform CPR if your heart stops or if you stop breathing.
• Organ and Tissue Donation Registration Form: Indicates your wish to donate organs and tissues after death, and it's often included in state registries.
• Last Will and Testament: Directs how your property and personal affairs should be handled after death. While not directly related to medical care, it's an essential part of end-of-life planning.
• Revocable Living Trust: Allows you to maintain control over your property while alive and specify how it's distributed upon your death, potentially avoiding probate.
• Financial Power of Attorney: Grants someone you trust the authority to handle your financial affairs if you're unable to do so yourself.
• Guardianship Designations: For individuals with children or dependents, this document specifies who should take care of them if you can no longer do so.
• Personal Property Memorandum: Linked to a will or trust, it allows for the distribution of personal items not specifically listed in those documents.

Each document plays a unique role in ensuring your personal, medical, and financial affairs are handled according to your wishes. Collectively, they provide a comprehensive approach to planning for the future, offering peace of mind to you and your loved ones. Remember, while the Five Wishes Document offers a broad platform for expressing your health care preferences, combining it with these other forms strengthens your legal and personal preparedness for different circumstances that may arise.

The Advance Directive, also known as a living will, exhibits a clear resemblance to the Five Wishes document, particularly in its function of delineating preferences for medical treatment when one is not able to make decisions independently. Similar to the Five Wishes, an advance directive facilitates an individual's choice regarding the continuation, withholding, or withdrawal of medical treatments. It specifies the types of medical interventions that are desired or not, mirroring the straightforward approach of Five Wishes in expressing personal, emotional, and spiritual needs alongside medical ones.

The Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA-HC) parallels the Five Wishes document in its emphasis on appointing a specific individual to make health care decisions on one's behalf during incapacity. The primary function of a DPOA-HC is to designate a health care agent or proxy, mirroring the first wish in the Five Wishes document, which identifies a trusted person to make medical decisions. This reflects an analogous commitment to ensuring that one's healthcare preferences are respected, even when direct communication is no longer possible.

The POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) form shares similarities with the Five Wishes document, especially in its approach to outlining medical interventions in serious health situations. Both documents are designed to guide healthcare professionals and loved ones through the decision-making process in accordance with the patient's wishes. However, POLST differs in that it is more medically detailed and is intended for individuals with serious health conditions, offering specific instructions for emergency medical personnel as well as other healthcare providers.

The Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, while more specific in scope, similarly relates to the domain covered by the Five Wishes document. A DNR focuses on a single, critical aspect of healthcare preferences—the refusal of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest. This decision is akin to the types of medical treatment preferences outlined in the Five Wishes, particularly concerning how one wishes to be treated in life-threatening situations.

The Ethical Will, though not a legal document, shares the spirit of the Five Wishes by providing a platform for expressing values, life lessons, and hopes for family members. Unlike the primarily medical focus of the Five Wishes, an ethical will deals with the emotional and spiritual legacy one wishes to leave behind. However, both documents underscore the importance of communication and the expression of one's desires, values, and needs to loved ones, thereby bridging personal, emotional, and medical care preferences.

When completing the 5 Wishes Document, it is crucial to approach it with careful consideration. This document significantly impacts your healthcare and personal wishes, so here are things you should and shouldn't do to ensure your wishes are effectively communicated:

1. Read the entire document carefully before you begin to fill it out, ensuring you understand each section and what it is asking of you.

2. Choose a Health Care Agent who knows you well, understands your wishes, and is willing to advocate on your behalf.

3. Discuss your wishes with the person you are appointing as your Health Care Agent before completing the document to ensure they are comfortable with the responsibility.

4. Be as detailed and clear as possible about your medical treatment preferences, comfort measures, how you want to be treated, and what you want your loved ones to know.

5. Consider including personal notes or additional instructions that might not be covered by the form's checkboxes and fields.

6. Review your state's requirements for legal documents like the 5 Wishes Document to ensure it will be recognized.

7. Sign and date the document in the presence of the required number of witnesses or a notary public, as per your state's regulations.

8. Distribute copies of the completed document to your Health Care Agent, family members, and your doctor, keeping the original in a safe but accessible place.

9. Revisit and update your 5 Wishes Document periodically or when your health situation or personal preferences change.

10. Destroy all previous versions of your living will or durable power of attorney for healthcare to avoid any confusion about your current wishes.

1. Rush through the document without giving thoughtful consideration to each section and decision.

2. Select a Health Care Agent based solely on their relationship to you without considering their ability and willingness to carry out your wishes.

3. Leave sections blank or unclear, as ambiguity could lead to confusion about your wishes during a critical time.

4. Forget to discuss your wishes with your loved ones and healthcare providers, even after you've completed the document.

5. Fail to check if additional documentation or steps are required to make your 5 Wishes Document legally binding in your state.

6. Assume that your healthcare providers are aware of your wishes without providing them with a copy of the document.

7. Neglect to review and, if necessary, update your document after major life events or changes in your health status.

8. Use the 5 Wishes Document as a substitute for open and ongoing conversations with your Health Care Agent and loved ones about your preferences and end-of-life care.

9. Overlook the importance of making extra copies and keeping the document in a digital format for easy access and distribution.

10. Consider this document as completely final; it’s vital to recognize that your preferences can change, and so should your 5 Wishes Document.

There are several common misconceptions about the Five Wishes document that need to be clarified so individuals can better understand its purpose and how it works. By addressing these misunderstandings, one can make informed decisions about end-of-life care planning.

• Only for the Elderly: A major misunderstanding is that the Five Wishes document is just for the elderly. In reality, it's for anyone over the age of 18. Accidents and sudden illnesses can happen at any age, making it important for adults of all ages to express their wishes.

• Legally Complex: Some people think that completing the Five Wishes document requires legal expertise. This isn't the case. The form was designed to be easy for anyone to fill out without needing legal knowledge. Its straightforward format helps you express your wishes clearly.

• Only About Medical Wishes: Another common misconception is that the document only addresses medical treatments and procedures. However, Five Wishes also covers personal, emotional, and spiritual needs, allowing for a comprehensive approach to end-of-life planning.

• A Replacement for a Will: People often confuse living wills, like the Five Wishes document, with last wills and testaments. The Five Wishes document is not a replacement for a will. It focuses on health care decisions and personal wishes in case of serious illness, while a last will and testament deals with the distribution of assets after death.

• Valid in All States: There's a belief that once completed, the Five Wishes document is valid in all states. While it is true for many, it's not universally accepted across all 50 states. It substantially meets legal requirements in 42 states and the District of Columbia, but it's essential to check local laws to ensure compliance.

• Does Not Require Witness or Notarization: While the Five Wishes document is user-friendly, it must be properly signed to be valid. Depending on your state’s law, this might require witnessing or notarization. Ignoring these legal formalities could render the document invalid.

• Difficult to Amend: People often worry that once the Five Wishes document is signed, it cannot be changed. This is not true. You can update your wishes at any time by completing a new document and ensuring it is properly signed, witnessed, and notarized (if required by your state), then destroying copies of the old one.

• No Need to Discuss with Family: Completing the form and putting it away without discussing it with your family and health care agent is a common mistake. For the document to serve its purpose effectively, it’s important that loved ones and those who will be making decisions on your behalf understand your wishes thoroughly.

Addressing these misconceptions allows individuals to create a Five Wishes document that reflects their true end-of-life care preferences and ensures that these wishes are respected and legally recognized.

The Five Wishes document is a comprehensive approach to guiding families and healthcare providers about your care preferences if you are unable to communicate them yourself. Here are five key takeaways to understand when filling out and using the form:

• The Five Wishes document encompasses more than just medical directives; it addresses personal, emotional, and spiritual needs, ensuring a holistic approach to end-of-life care.
• It is legally valid in 42 states and the District of Columbia once properly completed and signed, making it a powerful tool for expressing your care preferences across a significant portion of the United States.
• Anyone aged 18 or older can and should use the Five Wishes document to outline their care preferences. This includes specifying the type of medical treatment you want or don't want, how you wish to be made comfortable, how you want to be treated by others, and what you want your loved ones to know.
• Choosing the right Health Care Agent is crucial. This person will be your voice when you cannot speak for yourself. It’s important to select someone who knows you well, understands your wishes, and is willing to advocate on your behalf.
• Changing from another form of advance directive to Five Wishes is straightforward. You need to complete the Five Wishes form, sign it, and then destroy any copies of your previous advance directive to avoid confusion about your current wishes.

It’s essential for everyone, regardless of age or health status, to consider completing the Five Wishes document. Doing so can ease the burden on family members and ensure your care preferences are known and respected. Discussing your wishes with your designated Health Care Agent and loved ones ensures everyone involved is prepared and understands your desires, making the Five Wishes document an invaluable part of your care planning.