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Advance Directives and Durable Power of Attorney

26 March 2025

People can plan for incapacity at the end of life. The Terminally Ill Patient Law lets people give health care instructions (advance directives) that express their wishes when a time comes they can't express them, or appoint someone to make health care decisions for them if a qualified doctor says they are terminally ill.

Advance directives specify patients' preferences for future medical treatments at the end of life, outlining whether to reject treatment or to accept all types of medical treatments, even if a doctor advises against them.

A durable power of attorney names someone, called a health care proxy, to make health care decisions on behalf of the patient, when the patient cannot communicate them.

Advance directives and durable power of attorney go into effect only if the person is considered terminally ill and unable to make decisions. According to law, people who are 17 years old and older can issue advance directives or appoint a health care proxy.

While discussing these issues can be challenging, preparing in advance allows individuals to receive the health care they desire and aids their families in making decisions during difficult times.

It's essential to know that as long as you are able to make decisions, your choices take priority over the directives. The advance directives and powers of attorney only take effect if the person is unable to make decisions.

Advance directives are valid for five years, can be extended, updated based on changing preferences, and can be revoked at any time.

You can submit the forms online or fill them out manually and mail them along with a photocopy of your ID to The Center for Advance Directives, Ministry of Health, 39 Yirmiyahu Street, Jerusalem 9446724, or P.O. Box 1176, Jerusalem 9101002.

Keeping the forms in the Ministry of Health’s registry ensures that doctors and nurses can access them and receive reminders to renew the forms before they expire (up to five years).

Regardless of your age, it's essential to prepare for serious medical conditions and make treatment decisions in advance. This preparation becomes increasingly important as you grow older. While discussing this topic may feel daunting, having a clear understanding of your wishes in the event of a terminal illness ensures that any actions taken reflect your wishes.

Application for Advance Directives and Durable Power of Attorney

The Terminally Ill Patient Law outlines advance directives and the appointment of a health care proxy. To submit your application, you need to complete a form that lets you specify two choices:

Advance directives for future health care of a terminally ill patient

Defining in advance which medical treatments the patient is willing to accept and which treatments they wish to avoid if they are diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Granting authority to make health care decision for a terminally ill patient (durable power of attorney)

People must give consent to appoint someone (called a health care proxy) to make medical decisions on their behalf when they are unable to do so, particularly if they are terminally ill.

Advance medical directives for future medical treatment of a terminally ill patient

The law regulates the rules by which one can preemptively decide to receive or refuse life-extending medical treatment in the case of an incurable disease, with a life expectancy of six months and accompanied by a loss of capacity that also affects the ability to make decisions.

What Can Be Included in Advance Directives

  • Refusing certain medical treatments in the event that you become terminally ill and are unable to make decisions due to loss of consciousness, or dementia, etc.
  • Expressing your wishes to receive certain medical treatments that can extend your life.

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care

The health care proxy will be authorized to make decisions about medical treatments in case the patient is deemed terminally ill and unable to make decisions.

There are three options in the form:

  1. The healthcare proxy can make any decision regarding medical treatment.
  2. The healthcare proxy can only decide to accept exceptional life-saving medical treatment with prior consent.
  3. The healthcare proxy can make decisions about whether or not to give specified medical treatments.

The durable power of attorney only covers health care, not financial or other matters. If you want to appoint someone for financial matters, consult an attorney.

Everyone can choose to complete one or more forms.
The abridged durable power of attorney form cannot be completed by someone who is classified as a 'terminally ill patient'.

Important to know

Important to know

Advance directives only take effect if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. As long as you are deemed competent, your choices will take precedence over the directives. The directives are binding for medical staff and assist people in preparing for a potential loss of competence at the end of life.

Who Can Issue Advance Directives or Durable Power of Attorney

Under the law, individuals aged 17 and older, regardless of their health status, can create advance directives or appoint a health care proxy, as long as they are competent.

The directives are good for five years from the date they are signed and can be renewed every five years by filling out a renewal form.

They can be revoked by submitting the relevant form.

How to Submit Advance Directives and Durable Power of Attorney

Forms can be completed and submitted online. 

Alternatively, the relevant forms may be filled out manually and sent, along with a photocopy of your ID, via registered mail to: The Center for Advance Directives, Ministry of Health, 39 Yirmiyahu Street, Jerusalem 9446724 or POB 1176, Jerusalem 9101002.

Filling out the Advance Directives Form to Ensure Personalized End-Of-Life Care

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICitIuHGZPk?rel=0

Filling out the advance directives form

Important to know

Important to know

If you have filled out the advance directives form and the durable power of attorney form, the patient's instructions will take precedence over the health care proxy's choices.

Issuing Advance Directives and Durable Power of Attorney

For more information on how to issue advance directives and appoint a health care proxy for patients at the end of life who are unable to make decisions, along with instructions on submitting the application and downloading the forms, visit the government services website.

For information on the government services website