Advance care planning: a gift to your family
The kindest thing you can do for the people who love you is tell them — in writing — what you want. Oregon makes it free and simpler than most states. Here's what each document does and how to complete it.
The three documents that matter most
1. Advance directive
For every adult. Names your health care representative and records your treatment wishes. Free, no lawyer needed in Oregon. Our guide: how to complete an Oregon advance directive.
2. POLST
For people with serious illness. A medical order that travels with the patient and binds emergency responders. See POLST vs. advance directive to understand which you need (often both).
3. The conversation
Documents work when people know what's in them. Talk to your representative, your family, and your doctor. Our guides on choosing a health care representative and holding a family meeting can help you start.
Why plan before a crisis
Without instructions, families guess — in hospital hallways, under pressure, sometimes disagreeing with each other for years afterward. With instructions, the medical team follows your wishes and your family carries clarity instead of doubt. Planning ahead also makes every later step easier, from hospice decisions to getting affairs in order.
Frequently asked questions
Want help putting wishes in writing?
Our social workers help Eastern Oregon families complete advance directives and coordinate POLST conversations — call to set up time.