Advance Directives
Your Right to Make Health Care Decisions in Advance · Fla. Stat. Chapter 765
Under Florida law, every adult has the right to make decisions about their own health care, including the right to accept or refuse medical treatment and the right to put those decisions in writing to be honored if you later become unable to speak for yourself.
What Is an Advance Directive?
An "advance directive" is a written document that states your wishes about your medical care in advance. Florida recognizes three primary types:
Living Will — written instructions about the life-prolonging procedures you do or do not want if you have a terminal condition, end-stage condition, or persistent vegetative state.
Health Care Surrogate Designation — names someone you trust to make health care decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself.
Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNRO) — a Florida-specific form (DH Form 1896) signed by you and a physician directing emergency responders and caregivers not to perform CPR.
Your Rights
You have the right to have an advance directive, but you are not required to have one. Opuluxe Tailored Nursing and the nurses we refer will not condition care on whether you have an advance directive, and will not discriminate against you based on whether you do or do not have one. If you have an advance directive, please share a copy with your referred nurse so your wishes can be honored.
Free Florida Forms and Information
Florida Department of Health — DNRO Form (DH 1896)
The Florida Bar — Advance Directives Consumer Pamphlet
Florida Department of Elder Affairs — SHINE Program (free counseling)
CaringInfo (National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization) — Florida Forms
This information is educational and not legal or medical advice. Opuluxe does not draft, notarize, or witness advance directives. We recommend consulting a Florida attorney or your physician when preparing one.