The Maine Advance Directive is a multilayered legal document that provides users with the opportunity to choose a healthcare agent and establish their preferences concerning life-sustaining treatments. The purpose for executing this in advance is to avoid a situation where someone is incapacitated and unable to voice their wishes, leaving loved ones and medical staff uncertain of what the individual would have wanted. To secure a valid advance directive, the principal must complete each desired section and sign the instrument in the presence of two (2) witnesses.
(Residents of the state who wish to become organ donors may do so by signing up with the Maine Organ Donor Registry.)
Laws
Statutes – Title 18-C, Article 5, Part 8: Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (§ 5-801 – § 5-817)
Definition – “Advance health care directive” means an individual instruction from, or a power of attorney for health care by, an individual with capacity (§ 5-802(1)).
Statutory Form – § 5-805
Signing Requirements – Acknowledgment of Two (2) Witnesses (§ 5-803(2))
Revocation – § 5-804
Other Versions (5)
Download: Adobe PDF
Instructions: Adobe PDF
Five Wishes (Aging with Dignity) Version
Download: Adobe PDF
Information: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Additional Resources
- Adult Mental Health Services – Mental Health Advance Directives Guide
- Central Maine Healthcare – Advance Care Planning Checklist
- Disability Rights Center – Planning for Mental Health Care
- Downeast Surgery Center – Taking Charge of Your Health Care
- Maine Hospice Council – Informative POLST Rollout Letter
- Maine Hospital Association – Facts About Health Care Advance Directives
- Northern Light Mercy Hospital – Advance Directive Information
Related Forms (6)
- Advance Directive for Mental Health Care
- Advance Directive Wallet Cards
- Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Directive
- Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney
- EMS Comfort Care/Do-Not-Resuscitate Order
- Physicians Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Form
Advance Directive for Mental Health Care
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
Guide: Adobe PDF
Advance Directive Wallet Cards
Download: Adobe PDF
Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Directive
Download: Adobe PDF
Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
EMS Comfort Care/Do-Not-Resuscitate Order
Download: Adobe PDF
Instructions: Adobe PDF
Physicians Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Form
Download: Adobe PDF
Release Form: Adobe PDF