"End of Life" Decisions. It's important to make decisions about the kind of medical care you wish to receive if you are sick or terminally ill, and to name the persons (i.e., "agent") who can make those decisions for you if you are unable to do so. You also may wish to become an organ donor, which can give the "gift of life" to those in need.
If you are a Utah resident, you should complete the new (effective Jan. 1, 2008) Utah Advance Health Care Directive, which replaces both the old Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will forms previously used. You can find the Directive and instructions for completing it (along with other useful information) at http://aging.utah.edu/utah_coa/directives/index.html. That site also has a very useful Toolkit which I recommend you read and complete before making any decisions. Be sure to print and sign two copies of the Directive; keep one at home and give the other to your family, doctor or attorney for safekeeping.
Utah residents can find information and register as an organ donor, by calling the Utah Donor Registry at 866-YES-UTAH or by visiting www.yesutah.org.
Non-Utah residents can find the legal requirements for their state by visiting www.donatelife.net/CommitToDonation/index.php.
