Advanced Directives

According to the Florida Statutes Chapter 765.101, an Advanced Directive is a "witnessed written document or oral statement in which instructions are given by a principal or in which the principal's desires are expressed concerning any aspect of the principal's health care, and includes, but is not limited to, the designation of a health care surrogate, a living will, or an anatomical gift."

This legislation was enacted to ensure that every competent adult's decisions about health care will be respected when they are unable to make them on their own.

By law, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) are required to provide their patients with written information concerning health care directives.

The State of Florida provides a thorough reveiw of Health Care Advance Directives. Indepth information and resources may be found at: