Healthcare providers should feel free to utilize the Dartmouth Dementia Directive with their patients; there are no restrictions to its use. However, please credit the Dartmouth Dementia Directive if you choose to use our form.
Healthcare Providers may find the following document helpful: Determining Decisional Capacity
Once the determination has been made that the individual lacks decisional capacity, the healthcare provider must document that opinion in the medical record. At that point, the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare is now empowered (indeed, obligated) to make healthcare decisions for the individual, in conjunction with the healthcare provider.
The following document will be useful in determining the stage of dementia so that the wishes of the individual can be followed based on his or her level of impairment: Determining the Stage of Dementia Using the Dementia Severity Rating Scale (DSRS)