End of Life
Advance Directives and Other End-of-Life Documents
Peace of mind about end-of-life preferences
Most people have clear ideas of their end-of-life preferences, but few share these with family and physicians. The Washington State Living Will Registry is designed to preserve Washington State residents’ final wishes. A living will (also known as a health care directive) gives you the power to record your most important medical decisions in case you are unable to communicate them later. People of all ages should have a living will. The Living Will Registry can also record other end of life documents, including a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment form (POLST), and Mental Health Directives. Whatever end of life documents you choose, by recording them using the Washington State Living Will Registry, your family members will be comforted knowing that your treatment choices are up-to-date and accurate.
Create a complete record of your wishes
The Washington State Living Will Registry includes the following (click on the link for more information about that particular end of life document):
Sign up today
Registering online is easy and free. Once registration is complete, you will receive a unique registration number. Only authorized health care personnel can access your living will. You can access your living will at any time and will automatically be reminded annually to update your living will documents if needed.
Take charge of your life and document your decisions at www.doh.wa.gov/livingwill or call 1.800.525.0127 today.
Patient and physician educational materials for the Living Will Registry are available.
Hospice Care
Information about hospice care
Hospice Foundation of America
This is a very comprehensive site that provides information about what hospice care is and how to locate and select a hospice and/or support groups.
Providence Hospice of Seattle
Established in 1975, Hospice of Seattle was the first Hospice in the Northwest. The trained and dedicated staff and volunteers provide care for terminally ill children and adults in King and South Snohomish counties.
Community Involvement
The Washington End of Life Consensus Coalition
The WSMA formed the Washington End of Life Consensus Coalition (WEOLCC) in 1997, a broad-based cross-section of individuals and organizations across the state interested in bettering end of life care. While acknowledging that effecting change in our families, communities, and health care institutions will require long-term vision and effort, the Coalition believes that efforts both immediate and long range need to be brought to bear to significantly improve care for the dying. The Coalition annually revisits its goals and its work toward them to ensure that it is responding to short-range needs in care for the dying while allowing its long-range work to evolve, as end-of-life care itself evolves.
To join the Washington End of Life Consensus Coalition, just contact Coalition staff member Graham Short at (206) 956-3633 and ask to join.
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