The State of Indiana recognizes seven (7) type of advance directives:

Living Will – A “living will” is a written document that puts into words your wishes in the event that you become terminally ill and unable to communicate.  A living will is an advance directive that lists the specific care or treatment you want or do not want during a terminal illness.  A living will often includes directions for CPR, artificial nutrition, maintenance on a respirator and blood transfusions.  This document is used to tell your physician and family that life-prolonging treatments should not be used so that you are allowed to die naturally.  Your living will does not have to prohibit all life-prolonging treatments.  Your living will should list your specific choices.  For example, your living will may state that you do not want to be placed on a respirator but that you want a feeding tube for nutrition.  You may even specify that someone else should make the decision for you.

Psychiatric Advance Directive  -  Any person may make a psychiatric advance directive if he/she has legal capacity.  This written document expresses your   preferences and  consent to treatment measures for a specific  diagnosis.  The directive sets for the care and treatment of a mental illness during periods of incapacity. 

Health Care Representative –  A “health care representative” is a person you choose to receive health care information and make health care decisions for you when you cannot.  Your health care representative may agree to or refuse medical care and treatments when you are unable to do so.  Your representative will make these choices based on your advance directive.  If you want, in certain cases and in consultation with your physician, your health care representative may decide if food, water, or respiration should be given artificially as part of your medical treatment. The advance directive naming a health care representative must be in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by another adult.

Power of Attorney –  A “power of attorney” (also referred to as a “durable power of attorney”) is another kind of advance directive.  This document is used to grant another person say-so over your affairs.  Your power of attorney document may cover financial matters, give health care authority, or both.  By giving this power to another person, you give this person your power of attorney.  Your power of attorney document must be in writing and signed in the presence of a notary public.  

Out of Hospital “Do Not Resuscitate” Declaration and Order  –  In a hospital or health facility setting, if you have a terminal condition and you do not want CPR, your physician will write a “do not resuscitate” order in your medical chart.  If you are home when an emergency occurs, there is no medical chart or physician's order.  For situations outside of a  hospital or health facility, the “Out of Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Declaration and Order” is used to state your wishes. 

Organ and Tissue Donation – Increasing the   quality of life for another person is the ultimate gift.  Donating your organs is a way to help other's.  Making your wishes concerning organ donation clear to your physician and family is an important first step.

Talking To Your Physician and Family  -  One of the most important things to do is to talk about your health care wishes with your physician. Your physician can follow your wishes only if he or she knows what  your wishes are.  By discussing your wishes with your physician, your physician will record your choices in your medical chart so that there is a record available for future reference.  If you have written advance directive, it is important that you give a copy to your physician.