The LGBT community faces additional challenges at the end of life. Yet few in this community have advance directives or understand the potential need for a Hospital Visitation Authorization. Until recently, the partners of LGBT patients were routinely not allowed to participate in the medical treatment of their loved ones or even to visit them in the hospital.

Every adult should plan ahead with an advanced directive. It’s also vital to prepare by designating a surrogate decision-maker and filling out hospital permissions   This is especially important for LGBT partners, who may not have full marriage equality.

Compassion & Choices provides free information and forms to help protect medical choices. 

Living Will/Advance Directives»
Living wills/advance directives are actually a set of documents - a living will/advance directive and a medical durable power of attorney. These documents help direct your medical are if you become incapacitated. However, one type of advanced directive known as Five Wishes could actually subvert your end of life choices. Read more about the Five Wishes form here. Download your state-approved advanced directive here.

Hospital Visitation Form»
Unmarried partners may need prior hospital visitation authorization from their partner.

A Letter To My Doctor»
Find out if your Doctor will respect your ed-of-life wishes now - before it is too late. 

Other documents to protect medical choice:

Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)-this form is recommended only after diagnosis with a serious health condition and must be signed by a physician).

Documents protecting financial assets:

Power of attorney

Last will and testament

Talk to your partner, family (immediate and self-identified) and your primary care physician aboutyour decisions. Give them copies of all of your documents.  Tell your primary care physician to make them part of your medical record.  Made clear to other family members that the healthcare agent named in your durable power of attorney (who may or may not be your partner) is the person you have chosen to make your healthcare decisons, if you should be unable to do so.

Additionally, if you can complete your own paperwork upon entering a medical facility, list your partner or loved one as "next of kin" or as the "emergency contact". Provide a copy of your Living Will and your hospital permission as well.

Varying degrees of legal partnership and marital status exist in the States for LGBTQ. Careful end-of-life planning will help ensure that patients know and understand all end-of-life care options and wishes.  Lambda Legal has a comprehensive, state-by-state listing of the nationwide status for same-sex couples.

Compassion & Choices creates an atmosphere free from judgment where everyone can talk about, and come to terms with, the difficult issues surrounding death and dying. Unlike most end-of-life organizations, we are not a religious organization; nor do we promote one ethical or belief system. We honor all people as individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, race, or any other category.  Call 1-800-247-7421 to find out more about planning for the future