Blank 5 Wishes Document Form
The Five Wishes document is a unique tool that empowers individuals to articulate their healthcare preferences during times of serious illness. It provides a structured way to express not only medical wishes but also personal, emotional, and spiritual needs. At its core, the form allows users to designate a trusted person to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so. This choice is crucial, as it ensures that someone who understands their values and desires can advocate for them. Additionally, the document outlines the types of medical treatments an individual may want or wish to avoid, addressing the often difficult conversations surrounding end-of-life care. Comfort and dignity are also central themes, as it encourages individuals to express how they wish to be treated and what they want their loved ones to know. Importantly, the Five Wishes document is recognized and valid in many states across the U.S., making it a practical option for a wide audience. With its easy-to-complete format, this living will not only facilitates discussions among family members but also alleviates the burden of decision-making during emotionally charged moments.
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Dos and Don'ts
When filling out the Five Wishes Document form, it is essential to approach the task with care and attention. Here are eight things you should and shouldn't do:
- Do read the entire document carefully before starting.
- Don't rush through the form; take your time to consider your wishes.
- Do choose someone you trust as your Health Care Agent.
- Don't select a Health Care Agent who may have conflicts of interest, such as a healthcare provider.
- Do discuss your wishes with your chosen Health Care Agent and family members.
- Don't leave any sections blank; provide clear answers to all questions.
- Do sign and date the document to ensure its validity.
- Don't forget to inform your healthcare provider and family about your completed Five Wishes Document.
5 Wishes Document Sample
FIVE
WISH S®
M Y W I S H F O R :
The Person I Want too Make Car1e Decisions for Me When I Can’t
The Kind of Medical Treat2ment I Want or Don’t Want
How Comfortable3 I Want to Be
How I Want People4 to Treat Me
What I Want My Loved5 Ones to Know
print your name
birthdate
Five Wishes
There are many things in life that are out of our hands. This Five Wishes document gives you a way to control somethingg very
What Is Five Wishes?
Five Wishes is the first living will that talks about your personal, emotional and spiritual needs as well as your medical wishes. It lets you choose the person you want to make health care decisions for you if you are not able to make them for yourselff. Five Wishes
lets you say exactly how you wish to be
treated if you get seriously ill. It was written with the help of The American Bar
$VVRFLDWLRQ·V&RPPLVVLRQRQ/DZDQG$JLQJ DQGWKHQDWLRQ·VOHDGLQJH[SHUWVLQHQGRIOLIH FDUH,W·VDOVRHDV\WRXVH$OO\RXKDYHWRGRLV check a box, circle a direction, or write a few
sentences.
How Five Wishes Can Help You And Your Family
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without knowing your wishes. |
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to be treated if you become |
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sly ill. |
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spouse, or friend wants. You can be |
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there for them when they need you |
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ously ill, because |
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if you become seri |
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How Five Wishes Began
For 12 years, Jim Towey worked closely with Mother Teresa, and, for one year, he lived in a KRVSLFHVKHUDQLQ:DVKLQJWRQ'&,QVSLUHGE\ WKLVILUVWKDQGH[SHULHQFH0U7RZH\VRXJKWD way for patients and their families to plan ahead and to cope with serious illness. The result is
2Five Wishes and the response to it has been
RYHUZKHOPLQJ,WKDVEHHQIHDWXUHGRQ&11 DQG1%&·V7RGD\6KRZDQGLQWKHSDJHVRI Time and MoneyPDJD]LQHV1HZVSDSHUVKDYH called Five Wishes the first “living will with a heart and soul.” Today, Five Wishes is available in 27 languages.
Who Should Use Five Wishes
Five Wishes is for anyone 18 or older — married, single, parents, adult children, and friends. More than 19 million people of all ages have already used it. Because it
works so well, lawyers, doctors, hospitals and hospices, faith communities, employers, and retiree groups are handing outt this document.
Five Wishes States
If you live in the District of Columbia or one of the 42 states listed below, youu can use )LYH:LVKHVDQGKDYHWKHSHDFHRIPLQGWRNQRZWKDWLWVXEVWDQWLDOO\PHHWV\RXUVWDWH·V requirements under the law:
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If your state is not one of the 42 states listed here, Five Wishes does not meet the technical UHTXLUHPHQWVLQWKHVWDWXWHVRI\RXUVWDWH6RVRPHGRFWRUVLQ\RXUVWDWHPD\EHUHOXFWDQW to honor Five Wishes. However, many people from states not on this list do complete Five :LVKHVDORQJZLWKWKHLUVWDWH·VOHJDOIRUP7KH\ILQGWKDW)LYH:LVKHVKHOSVWKHPH[SUHVV all that they want and provides a helpful guide to family members, friends, care givers and doctors. Most doctors and health care professionals know they need to listen to your wishes no matter how you express them.
How Do I Change To Five Wishes?
You may already have a living will or a durable power of attorney for health care. If you want to use Five Wishes instead, all you need to do is fill out and sign a new Five Wishes as directed. As soon as you sign it, it takes away any advance directive you had before. To make sure the right form is used, please do the following:
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estroy all copies of your old living will |
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or durable power of attorney for health |
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members, and doctor that you have |
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care. Or you can write “revoked” in large |
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letters across the copy you have. Tell |
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your lawyer if he or she helped prepare |
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new wishes. |
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those old forms for you. AND |
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3
WISH 1
The Person I Want To Make Health Care Decisions For Me
When I Can’t Make Them For Myself.
f I am no longer able to make my own health care |
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• My attending or treating doctor finds I am no |
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I decisions, this form names the person I choose to |
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longer able to make health ca |
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re choic |
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make these choices for me. This person will be my |
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• Another health care profe |
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this is true. |
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my state, such as proxy, representative, or surrogate). |
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If my state has a different |
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ay of finding that I am not |
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This person will make my health care choices if both |
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able to make health c |
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are choices, then my state’s way |
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of these things happen: |
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should be followe |
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The Person I Choose As My Health Care Agent Is: |
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First Choice Name |
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one |
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If this person is not able or willing to make thesee choices for me, OR is divorced or legally separated from me, OR this person has died, then these people aree my next choices:
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Picking The R |
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Your Health Care Agent |
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ight Person To Be |
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can make difficult |
Agent should be at least 18 years or older (in |
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cares about you, and who |
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ily member may |
&RORUDGR\HDUVRUROGHUDQGVKRXOGnot be: |
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decisions. A spouse or fam |
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not be the best choice because they are too |
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Your health care provider, including the |
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YHG6RPHWLPHVWKH\are the |
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owner or operator of a health or residential |
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or community care facility serving you. |
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ho is able to stand up for you so that your |
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wishes are followed. Also, choose someone who |
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An employee or spouse of an employee of |
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is likely to be nearby so that they can help when |
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your health care provider. |
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you need them. Whether you choose a spouse, |
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6HUYLQJDVDQDJHQWRUSUR[\IRURU |
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Agent, make sure you talk about these wishes |
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more people unless he or she is your |
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and be sure that this person agrees to respect |
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spouse or close relative. |
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4
I understand that my Health Care Agent can make health care decisions for me. I want my Agent to be able to do the
following: (Please cross out anything you don’t want your Agent to do that is listed below.)
• |
Make choices for me about my medical care |
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6HH DQGDSSURYHUHOHDVHRIP\PHGLFDOUHFRUGV |
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or services, like tests, medicine, or surgery. |
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and personal files. If I need to sign my name to |
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This care or service could be to find out what my |
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K&DUH |
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health problem is, or how to treat it. It can also |
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sign it for me. |
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include care to keep me alive. If the treatment or |
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Move me to another |
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FDUHKDVDOUHDG\VWDUWHGP\+HDOWK&DUHAgent |
state to get the care I need |
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or to carry out m |
y wishes. |
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can keep it going or have it stopped. |
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•Interpret any instructions I have given in
this form or given in other discussions, according
WRP\+HDOWK&DUH$JHQW·VXQGHUVWDQGLQJRIP\ wishes and values.
&RQVHQWWRDGPLVVLRQWRDQDVVLVWHGOLYLQJIDFLOLW\ hospital, hospice, or nursing home for me. My +HDOWK&DUH$JHQWFDQKLUHDQ\NLQGRIKHDOWK care worker I may need to help me or take care of me. My Agent may also fire a health care worker, if needed.
•Make the decision to request, take away or not
JLYHPHGLFDOWUHDWPHQWVLQFOXGLQJDUWLILFLDOO\ provided food and water, andd any other treatments to keepp me alive.
•Authorize or refuse to authorize any medication or procedure needed to help with pain.
•Take any legal action needed to carry out my wishes.
•Donate useable organs or tissues of mine as allowed by law.
• Apply for Medicare, Medicaid, or other programs RULQVXUDQFHEHQHILWVIRUPH0\+HDOWK&DUH Agent can see my personal files, like bank records, to find out what is needed to fill out these forms.
/LVWHGEHORZDUHDQ\FKDQJHVDGGLWLRQVRU OLPLWDWLRQVRQP\+HDOWK&DUH$JHQW·VSRZHUV
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If I Change My Mind About Having A Health Care Agent, I Will
• |
Destroy all copies of this part of the |
• Write the word “Revoked” in large |
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Five Wishes form. OR |
letters across the name of each agent |
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• Tell someone, such as my doctor or |
whose authority I want to cancel. |
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6LJQP\QDPHRQWKDWSDJH |
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family, that I want to cancel or change |
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P\+HDOWK&DUH$JHQWOR |
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5
WISH 2
My Wish For The Kind Of Medical Treatment
I Want Or Don’t Want.
I b elieve that my life is precious and I deserve to be treated with dignity. When the timee comes that
I am very sick and am not able to speak for myself, I want the following wishes, and any other directions I have given to my Health Care Agent, to be respected and followed.
What You Should Keep In Mind As My Caregiver
•I do not want to be in pain. I want my doctor to give me enough medicine to relieve my pain, even if that means that I will be drowsy or sleep more than I would otherwise.
•I do nott want anything done or omitted by my doctors or nurses with the intention of taking my life.
•I want to be offered food and fluids by mouth, and kept clean and warm.
What
/LIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWPHDQVDQ\PHGLFDOSURFH dure, device or medication to keep me alive.
/LIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWLQFOXGHVPHGLFDO devices put in me to help me breathe; food and ZDWHUVXSSOLHGE\PHGLFDOGHYLFHWXEHIHHGLQJ FDUGLRSXOPRQDU\UHVXVFLWDWLRQ&35PDMRU surgery; blood transfusions; dialysis; antibiotics;
and anything else meant to keep me alive.
,I,ZLVKWROLPLWWKHPHDQLQJRIOLIHVXSSRUW treatment because of my religious or personal beliefs, I write this limitation in the space below. I do this to make very clear what I want and under what conditions.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
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In Case Of An Emergency
Iff you have a medical emergency and ambulance personnel arrive, they may look to see if you have a Do Not Resuscitate form or bracelet. Many states require a person to have a Do Not Resuscitate form filled out and
signed by a doctor. This form lets ambulance SHUVRQQHONQRZWKDW\RXGRQ·WZDQWWKHPWRXVH OLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWZKHQ\RXDUHG\LQJ3OHDVH check with your doctor to see if you need to have a Do Not Resuscitate form filled out.
6
Here is the kind of medical treatment that I want or don’t want in the four situations listed below. I want my Health Care Agent, my family, my doctors and other health care providers, my friends and all others to know these directions.
Close to death:
If my doctor and another health care professional both decide that I am likely to die within a short period of WLPHDQGOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWZRXOGRQO\GHOD\WKH PRPHQWRIP\GHDWK&KRRVHoneRIWKHIROORZLQJ
❏ ,ZDQWWRKDYHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW
❏ , GRQRWZDQWOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW,ILWKDV been started, I want it stopped.
❏,ZDQWWRKDYHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWLIP\GRFWRU believes it could help. But I want my doctor to
VWRSJLYLQJPHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWLILWLVQRW helping my health condition or symptoms.
In A Coma And Not Expected Too Wake Up Or Recover:
If my doctor and another health care professional both decide that I am in a coma from which I am not expected WRZDNHXSRUUHFRYHUDQG,KDYHEUDLQGDPDJHDQGOLIH support treatment would only delay the moment of my GHDWK&KRRVHoneRIWKHIROORZLQJ
❏ ,ZDQWWRKDYHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW
❏ , GRQRWZDQWOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW,ILWKDV been started, I want it stopped.
❏,ZDQWWRKDYHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWLIP\GRFWRU believes it could help. But I want my doctor to
VWRSJLYLQJPHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWLILWLVQRW helping my health condition or symptoms.
Permanent And Severe Brain Damage And Not Expected To Recover:
If my doctor and another health care professional both decide that I have permanentt and severe brain damage,
(for example, I can open myy eyes, but I can not speak RUXQGHUVWDQGDQG,DPQRWH[SHFWHGWRJHWEHWWHUDQG OLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWZRXOGRQO\GHOD\WKHPRPHQWRI P\GHDWK&KRRVHoneRIWKHIROORZLQJ
❏ ,ZDQWWRKDYHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW
❏ ,GRQRWZDQWOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW,ILWKDV been started, I want it stopped.
❏,ZDQWWRKDYHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWLIP\GRFWRU believes it could help. But I want my doctor to
VWRSJLYLQJPHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWLILWLVQRW helping my health condition or symptoms.
In Another Condition Under Which I Do Not Wish To Be Kept Alive:
If there is another condition under which I do not wish WRKDYHOLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW,GHVFULEHLWEHORZ,Q this condition, I believe that the costs and burdens of
OLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQWDUHWRRPXFKDQGQRWZRUWKWKH benefits to me. Therefore, in this condition, I do not want OLIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW)RUH[DPSOH\RXPD\ZULWH ´HQGVWDJHFRQGLWLRQµ7KDWPHDQVWKDW\RXUKHDOWKKDV gotten worse. You are not able to take care of yourself in DQ\ZD\PHQWDOO\RUSK\VLFDOO\/LIHVXSSRUWWUHDWPHQW will not help you recover. Please leave the space blank if \RXKDYHQRRWKHUFRQGLWLRQWRGHVFULEH
________________________________________________________________________________________
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7
Th e next three wishes deal with my personal, spiritual and emotional wishes. They are important to me. I want to be treated with dignity near the end of my life, so I would like people to do the things
written in Wishes 3, 4, and 5 when they can be done. I understand that my family, my doctors and other health care providers, my friends, and others may not be able to do these things or are not required by law to do these things. I do not expect the following wishes to place new or added legal duties on my doctors or other health care providers. I also do not expect these wishes to excuse my doctor or other health care providers from giving mee the proper care asked for by law.
WISH 3
My Wish For How Comfortable I Want To Bee.
(Please cross out anything that you don’t agree with.)
•I do not want to be in pain. I want my doctor to give me enough medicine to relieve my pain, even if that means I will be drowsy or sleep more than I would otherwise.
•If I show signs of depression, nausea, shortness of breath, or hallucinations, I want my care givers to do whatever they can to help me.
•I wish to have a cool moist cloth put onn my head if I have a fever.
•I want my lips and mouth kept moist to stop dryness.
•I wish to have warm baths often. I wish to be kept fresh and clean at all times.
•I wishh to be massaged with warm oils as often as I can be.
•I wish to have my favorite music played when possible until my time of death.
•I wish to have personal care like shaving, nail clipping, hair brushing, and teeth brushing, as long as they do not cause me pain or discomfort.
,ZLVKWRKDYHUHOLJLRXVUHDGLQJVDQGZHOO loved poems read aloud when I am near death.
•I wish to know about options for hospice care to provide medical, emotional and spiritual care for me and my loved ones.
WISH 4
My Wish For How I Want People To Treat Me.
(Please cross out anything that you don’t agree with.)
•I wish to have people with me when possible. I want someone to be with me when it seems that death may come at any time.
•I wish to have my hand held and to be talked
WRZKHQSRVVLEOHHYHQLI,GRQ·WVHHPWR respond to the voice or touch of others.
•I wish to have others by my side praying for me when possible.
•I wish to have the members of my faith community told that I am sick and asked to pray for me and visit me.
•I wish to be cared for with kindness and cheerfulness, and not sadness.
•I wish to have pictures of my loved ones in my room, near my bed.
•If I am not able to control my bowel or bladder functions, I wish for my clothes and bed linens to be kept clean, and for them to be changed as soon as they can be if they have been soiled.
•I want to die in my home, if that can be done.
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WISH 5
My Wish For What I Want My Loved Ones To Know.
(Please cross out anything that you don’t agree with.)
•I wish to have my family and friends know that I love them.
•I wish to be forgiven for the times I have hurt my family, friends, and others.
•I wish to have my family, friends and others know that I forgive them for when they may have hurt me in my life.
•I wish for my family and friends to know that I do not fear death itself. I think it is not the end, but a new beginning for me.
•I wish for all of my family members to make peace with each other before my death, if they can.
•I wish for my family and friends to think about what I was like before I became seriously ill. I want them too remember me in this way after my death.
•I wish for my family and friends and caregivers to respect my wishes even if
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•I wish for my family and friends to look at my dying as a time of personal growth for everyone, including me. This will help me livee a meaningful life in my final days.
•I wish for my family and friends to get counseling if they have trouble with my death. I want memories of my life to give
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•After my death, I would like my body to
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•My body or remains should be put in the
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•The following person knows my funeral
wishes:.
If anyone asks how I want to be remembered, please say the following about me:
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If there is to bee a memorial service for me, I wish for this service to include the following
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(Please use the space below for any other wishes. For example, you may want to donate any or all parts of your body when you die. You may also wish to designate a charity to receive memorial contributions. Please attach a VH DUDWHVKHHWRI D HULI\RXQHHGPRUHVSDFH
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Signing The Five Wishes Form
Please make sure you sign your Five Wishes form in the presence of the two witnesses.
I, _________________________________, ask that my family, my doctors, and other health care providers,
P\IULHQGVDQGDOORWKHUVIROORZP\ZLVKHVDVFRPPXQLFDWHGE\P\+HDOWK&DUH$JHQWLI,KDYHRQHDQGKH RUVKHLVDYDLODEOHRUDVRWKHUZLVHH[SUHVVHGLQWKLVIRUP7KLVIRUPEHFRPHVYDOLGZKHQ,DPXQDEOHWRPDNH decisions or speak for myself. If any part of this form cannot be legally followed, I ask that all other parts of this form be followed. I also revoke any health care advance directives I have made before.
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Witness Statement • (2 witnesses needed):
,WKHZLWQHVVGHFODUHWKDWWKHSHUVRQZKRVLJQHGRUDFNQRZOHGJHGWKLVIRUPKHUHDIWHU´SHUVRQµLVSHUVRQDOO\NQRZQWR PHWKDWKHVKHVLJQHGRUDFNQRZOHGJHGWKLV>+HDOWK&DUH$JHQWDQGRU/LYLQJ:LOOIRUPV@LQP\SUHVHQFHDQGWKDWKHVKH appears to be of sound mind and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence.
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•The individual appointed as (agent/proxy/
VXUURJDWHSDWLHQWDGYRFDWHUHSUHVHQWDWLYHE\ this document or his/her successor,
•7KHSHUVRQ·VKHDOWKFDUHSURYLGHULQFOXGLQJ RZQHURURSHUDWRURIDKHDOWKORQJWHUPFDUH or other residential or community care facility serving the person,
•$QHPSOR\HHRIWKHSHUVRQ·VKHDOWKFDUH provider,
•)LQDQFLDOO\UHVSRQVLEOHIRUWKHSHUVRQ·V health care,
•An employee of a life or health insurance provider for the person,
•Related to the person by blood, marriage, or adoption, and,
•To the best of my knowledge, a creditor of the person or entitled to any part of his/her estate under a will or codicil, by operation of law.
(Some states may have fewer rules about who may be a witness. Unless you know your state’s rules, please follow the above.)
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Notarization • Only required for residents of Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia
•If you live in Missouri, only your signature should be notarized.
•,I\RXOLYHLQ1RUWK&DUROLQD6RXWK&DUROLQDRU:HVW9LUJLQLD you should have your signature, and the signatures of your witnesses, notarized.
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Listed Questions and Answers
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What is the Five Wishes document?
The Five Wishes document is a unique living will that allows individuals to express their personal, emotional, and spiritual needs, along with their medical wishes. It empowers you to choose a person to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. This document also outlines how you wish to be treated in the event of a serious illness.
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Who can use the Five Wishes document?
Anyone who is 18 years or older can utilize the Five Wishes document. This includes married individuals, singles, parents, adult children, and friends. Over 19 million people from various backgrounds have already taken advantage of this resource, making it widely recognized and endorsed by legal and health care professionals.
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How does Five Wishes benefit my family?
Five Wishes facilitates open conversations between you and your family regarding your health care preferences. It alleviates the burden on your loved ones during difficult times, as they will not have to make tough decisions without knowing your wishes. By understanding your desires, they can provide the support you need when you are most vulnerable.
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Is the Five Wishes document legally binding?
Yes, once completed and signed, the Five Wishes document is valid under the laws of most states in the U.S. It is essential to ensure that it meets the specific requirements of your state, as it is recognized in 42 states and the District of Columbia.
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How do I change my existing advance directives to Five Wishes?
If you already have a living will or durable power of attorney for health care, you can transition to Five Wishes by filling out and signing the new document. This new form will automatically revoke any previous directives. It is advisable to destroy all copies of the old documents and inform your health care agent and family members about the change.
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What should I consider when choosing a health care agent?
Your health care agent should be someone who knows you well and respects your wishes. This individual must be at least 18 years old and can be a family member, friend, or trusted individual. It is crucial to select someone who can make difficult decisions on your behalf and is likely to be available when needed.
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Can I modify the Five Wishes document after it is completed?
Yes, you can modify your Five Wishes document at any time. If you wish to change your health care agent or any specific instructions, you must create a new document and follow the same process of revocation for the previous version. Always inform your health care agent and family of any changes you make.
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How does Five Wishes help with communication about health care preferences?
Five Wishes encourages discussions about health care preferences among family members. By clearly articulating your desires in the document, you provide a reference point for loved ones and health care professionals. This clarity helps ensure that your wishes are honored, reducing uncertainty and stress for everyone involved.
Form Overview
| Fact Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | The Five Wishes document allows individuals to express their medical, personal, and emotional wishes in the event they become seriously ill. |
| Living Will | Five Wishes is recognized as a living will that addresses not only medical preferences but also personal and spiritual needs. |
| Health Care Agent | It allows you to designate a person to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. |
| State Validity | Five Wishes is valid in 42 states and the District of Columbia, provided it meets state-specific requirements. |
| Easy to Complete | The form is user-friendly, requiring simple checks, circles, or short written responses to express your wishes. |
| Emotional Support | It encourages open communication with family members, helping to alleviate the burden of decision-making during difficult times. |
| Accessibility | Five Wishes is available in 27 languages, making it accessible to a diverse population. |
| Changing Your Wishes | To update your Five Wishes, simply complete a new form, which revokes any previous directives once signed. |