Advance Directives

Make Your Wishes Known!

South Carolina and federal law allows adults, 18 years or older, the right to make their own decisions about their health care.

This includes accepting, rejecting or discontinuing treatment – or choosing someone else to make decisions on their behalf. The same applies to health care through Hospice of the Upstate.

Most patients can express their wishes to their doctor, but those who are very ill or unconscious often cannot. An advance directive allows you to still communicate your wishes should you become unable to speak or advocate for yourself.

Hospice of the Upstate offers information and community education on Advance Directives. If you or your loved one would like more information or would like to sit down with a Social Worker and talk, please call 864-224-3358. Please know this is not intended to replace the advice of legal counsel regarding these or other planning documents.

Two Types of Advance Directives:

In a Health Care Power of Attorney, you name an agent who will tell the doctor what treatment should or should not be provided.

In a Living Will, you tell your doctor that you do not want to receive certain treatment.