Health Maintenance Guidelines

Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD)

It is often difficult for individuals to think about the care and treatment they want in the event they are incapable of making their own health care decisions. However, completing an Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) is important for all individuals over 18 years of age as they may unexpectedly be in a position where they cannot speak for themselves, such as an accident or severe illness.

An AHCD gives you the following options:

• You can appoint an agent who has power of attorney to make care and treatment decisions on your behalf, and give instructions about your health care wishes.
• You can give detailed instructions about your health care wishes.
  
• You can do both: appoint an agent and give detailed instructions.

The AHCD form is available below, and at PAMF's Community Health Resource Centers at the Dublin, Fremont, Mountain View and Palo Alto Centers. To make an appointment for a free consultation please call:

• Dublin Center: 925-875-6150
  
• Fremont Center: 510-623-2231
  
• Mountain View Center: 650-934-7380
  
• Palo Alto Center: 650-614-3200

Available Documents:

• Advance Health Care Directive Forms (opens new window - California Hospital Association) — English and Spanish versions of an AHCD form can be found on this site.
  
• AHCD FAQs
  
• ACHD Terminology

Once you have completed the form and had your signature notarized or witnessed, take a photocopy to your primary care physician, so that it can be placed in your medical record. Give a copy to your agent(s). Keep the original for your personal records.