If you are 18 or older and mentally competent, you have the right to make decisions about your medical care. Advanced directives are legal forms that help you do that.

There are three kinds of advance directives:

• A living will lets you state your wishes about medical care, or choose another person(s) to make medical decisions for you if you lose the ability to do so.
• A health care power of attorney lets you name a person to make health care decisions for you if you become unable to decide for yourself.
• An advance instruction for mental health treatment allows you to give instructions and preferences about mental health treatment. You may select someone to make these decisions for you if you lose the ability to decide for yourself. This document automatically expires in two years.

If you already have a North Carolina advance directive, we must have a copy in order to follow your wishes. If you cannot give us a copy, we will be happy to complete another form for you in case one is needed while you are in Duke University Hospital.

If you have an advance directive from another state, it cannot be used in North Carolina. We will be happy to help you complete a North Carolina form so that your wishes can be followed.

If you want to complete an advance directive, or have questions, talk to your nurse, physician, patient and visitor relations representatives, or staff in Pastoral Services. Your nurse can also help you find someone to notarize your form.

Download an advance directive form (PDF, 116 KB)

For more information about your rights as a patient, see Rights and Responsibilities.