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CalOptima Health Advance Care Planning

Let us help you learn more about advance care planning and the forms you need.

Advance Care Planning for You, Your Loved Ones and Your Future

If you get sick or injured and can't speak for yourself, do you know what type of care you would want? Advance care planning is a great way to start thinking about your future medical care. Let us help you learn more about advance care planning and the forms you need. We also have tips on how to talk with your loved ones about their health care wishes.

Two women sit together at a table, one filling out a document while the other embraces her and looks on supportively. A calculator is visible.

What Is Advance Care Planning?

Advance care planning helps you make informed decisions about your health care, so your wishes are respected and honored, even when you might not be able to express them yourself. Advance care planning is your choice, but we encourage you to do it.

A caregiver's hand gently holds the hand of a patient lying in bed, symbolizing compassion and support in a healthcare setting.

Why Is Advance Care Planning Important?

If you become very ill and can’t make medical choices for yourself, you want to make sure all your medical care is based on your choices. Planning ahead ensures your choices are respected.

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Who Should Take Part in Advance Care Planning?

Everyone, no matter age or health, should take part in advance care planning. It's never too early to plan for the future.

Start Your Advance Care Planning Today

Planning for the future doesn’t have to be hard. Here are some tips to help you start thinking about what’s important to you. For more information on advance care planning, call CalOptima Health OneCare Customer Service  toll-free at 1-877-412-2734 (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have staff who speak your language. 

Think About What You Value Most

Ask yourself: “Do I want to be free from pain? Do I want to stay at home with my family?”

Ask Your Doctor Questions

Talk to your doctor to learn more about your choices, so it will be easier to make decisions that are right for you.

Choose a Person You Can Trust to Support You in a Time of Need

Think about someone you are very close to who could make medical decisions for you if you are unable to in the future.

Share Your Wishes With Your Loved Ones

Talk about your wishes or write them down and share them with a loved one.

Give Yourself Time and Space

Go at your own pace and take a break if you need to. You can go back to planning when you feel ready.

Review the Forms You Need for Advance Care Planning

There are forms that can help you share your health care wishes. Using these forms to write down your wishes is a key part of advance care planning. This helps your providers and others who are making decisions for you know what you want. 

Advance Directive

This is a legal form that puts in writing your wishes about the type of care you would or would not want if you are unable to make medical decisions for yourself. See Advance Care Planning: Advance Directives for Health Care. Download or print a copy of the Advance Health Care Directive Form.

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Where do I begin with filling out an advance directive?

  • You must be 18 years or older and able to make your own decisions to fill out an advance directive. 
  • You should choose someone you trust to act as your agent to carry out your wishes. 
  • You don’t need a lawyer to fill out the form, but it must be signed by a notary public or by 2 witnesses. 
  • Your agent can’t be one of the witnesses.
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Who should I choose as my agent?

  • Your “agent” must be 18 years or older and willing to make your medical decisions if you are not able to.
  • It’s important to choose someone who you trust such as a spouse, partner, relative or friend. 
  • You should talk to your doctor and “agent” in detail about your wishes and give them both a copy.
  • Your doctor may ask you to sign a form stating you have talked to them about this form.
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Why should I sign an advance directive now when I’m healthy?

  • The best time to sign an advance directive is when you are healthy because you can think and speak for yourself. 
  • Having a plan in place will ensure your wishes are followed.
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Where can I get an advance directive form?

  • Most hospital emergency rooms and the Orange County Office on Aging have these forms available. Call the California Department of Aging’s information line at 1-800-510-2020 to learn more and request a form. 
  • You don’t need to use a specific form. You can write down your wishes on paper and have this form signed by a notary instead. 
  • You should check that your advance directive follows the laws where you live.

Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care

A durable power of attorney for health care is a legal form that lets you name your health care proxy, a trusted person who can make health care decisions for you if you’re not able to make them yourself.

Get Help With Advance Care Planning

Need help with your advance care planning? Reach out to these community organizations. For more support, contact your medical care provider or CalOptima Health OneCare Customer Service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-877-412-2734 (TTY 711).

 

Orange County Office on Aging

  • Phone: 
  • Website: www.officeonaging.ocgov.com
  • Social media: @ocgov
  • Services: Provides advance directives. You can call to get a form by mail but you must fill it out yourself.
  • Advance care planning forms: Download advance directive
  • Support: No

Council on Aging Southern California

ReConnect (Council on Aging)

Community Health Initiative of Orange County (CHIOC)

  • Phone: 
  • Location: Santa Ana
  • Website: www.chioc.org
  • Services: Helps with translating and understanding advance directives. You must fill out the forms yourself.
  • Advance care planning forms: No
  • Support: No

Disability Rights California

Dayle McIntosh Center

  • Phone: 1-714-621-3300
  • Locations: Anaheim, Laguna Hills
  • Website: daylemc.org/services
  • Social Media: @daylemcintoshcenter
  • Services: Provides help with advance directives only for clients.  Call for intake or get referred.
  • Advance care planning forms: No
  • Support: Yes

Corbin Family Resource Center

Korean Community Services (KCS)

  • Phone: 1-714-503-6550
  • Location: Buena Park
  • Website: www.kcsinc.org
  • Social media: @KCSHealthcenter
  • Services: Helps with advance directives; available to patients of KCS.
  • Advance care planning forms: No
  • Support: Yes

Public Law Center

  • Phone: 1-714-541-1010
  • Location: Santa Ana
  • Website: www.publiclawcenter.org
  • Social media: @publiclawcenter
  • Services: Provides free legal services, including advance directives, for low-income Orange County residents.
  • Advance care planning forms: No
  • Support: Yes

Prepare for Your Care

Alzheimer’s Orange County

UCI Advance Care Planning

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