Advance Healthcare Directives

Do you have an advance healthcare directive, also referred to as a healthcare directive or an advance directive?  If not, you should consider having one on file. This is a written document that describes the kinds of healthcare you would or would not want if you become unable to communicate your wishes with your healthcare team.  It allows you to name a person (an “agent”) to help communicate medical decisions for you.  This is for anyone over the age of 18 and is available free of charge at any OMC location or you can download the document below.   

Olmsted Medical Center has two different healthcare directives available for your use, one of which is an abbreviated healthcare directive.  It will need to be notarized, which can be done free at most OMC locations. Once the advanced directive has been completed and notarized, you should either give it to your primary care provider or someone from OMC’s social services so it can be placed in your medical record.

If you do not have a healthcare directive, and you become incapable of making decisions related to your healthcare, someone else will make the decision for you.  That could be your care provider, a family member, or your emergency contact. 

At OMC, we would like you to feel empowered to make decisions regarding your care.  We encourage you to talk with your primary care provider to discuss advance care planning for your healthcare directive. 

To learn more about what an advance healthcare directive is or to have it placed on file in your medical record, contact Olmsted Medical Center's Social Services Department at 507.529.6806.