Dementia Directive

Advance Directive for Living with Dementia

This first-of-its-kind advance planning document allows people coping with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia to document their wishes about the inevitable challenges related to living with these illnesses. Even if this directive is not legal where you live, you can still use it to document your wishes and provide a guide for your family, health care providers, long-term care providers, and others.

This directive was the culmination of more than a year of work by Seattle University Clinical Law Professor Lisa Brodoff, Esq, and End of Life Washington’s former Executive Director, Robb Miller. Reviewers included our Advisory Committee members, Elder Law Attorney, Christopher Henderson, Esq, Geriatric Social Worker, Carin Mack, ACSW, and individual, family, and group therapy provider, Jane Tornatore, PhD, LMFT.

End of Life Washington first produced the Advance Directive for Living with Dementia. The Northwest Justice Project is now responsible for revising and updating this document.

This Advance Directive is endorsed by the Western and Central Washington State Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Please Note:

Completing this document with the help of professionals, such as a mental health professional, geriatric care manager, and/or an elder law attorney, is highly recommended. This directive is also available by mail.

The Dementia Legal Planning Project is a free option for Washington State residents who are 60 and over, under 60 with a family history of dementia, or are living with dementia at any age. This service can connect you with a legal professional who can help you complete dementia legal documents. To get started, visit their website here.