An advance directive is a legal document that helps ensure that your health care wishes will be respected if you become unable to speak or otherwise communicate. In the absence of a written document, sometimes an advance directive may be an oral communication, where you express your wishes for care verbally to your family members or health care agent. An advance directive may become important if you are severely injured or develop a serious illness that prevents you from actively participating in decisions about your medical care. 

Mills-Peninsula Medical Group physicians recognize the right of any adult patient (18 years and older) to complete an Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD).   An AHCD allows individuals to appoint a power of attorney for health care to make care and treatment decisions on their behalf, and state instructions for their future healthcare decisions.

For a copy of the Advance Directive CHA Form, please click here. Copies of the completed form should be given to each person named as agent, or proxy, and to an individual’s primary care physician.

Mills-Peninsula Health Services also offers a class to better understand the process.  To enroll, please call (650) 696-5400 

Last Reviewed:  July 2008