NYLAG’s Total Life Choices (TLC) assists individuals in taking control of their health care wishes in the event that illness or injury renders them unable to do so. The TLC project provides vital legal information and services for people on completing advance health care directives. TLC staff regularly provides educational workshops and staff trainings at senior centers, naturally occurring retirement communities, hospitals and social service organizations throughout New York City.
In addition, TLC provides free electronic storage of advance directives to prevent situations where health care professionals are without clear instructions on patients’ preferences for medical care, and families suffer undue stress because the whereabouts of advance directive are unknown. Through a partnership with the U.S. Living Will Registry®, advance directives are stored in a secure online database. With this easy and effective system, your advance directives will be available to your family and doctors whenever and wherever they are needed.
How does it work?
Once you have completed your advance directives and a U.S. Living Will Registration form, you or a TLC partner can submit your documents for registration (see instructions below). A TLC attorney will then review your completed advance directives and have them stored in the online registry. You will receive a confirmation letter and a wallet-sized ID card which will contain your personal password for your account. If you are ever admitted to a medical facility and are unable to communicate, medical professionals will be able to quickly obtain copies of your living will or health care proxy and administer medical care based upon your wishes.
How to Register
Registration in the U.S. Living Will Registry® is completely free and available to all New York residents over the age of 18. To submit advance directives for registration, send your documents along with the U.S. Living Will Registration Form by either of the following methods:
• FAX to 212.750.0820
• Mail to:
Total Life Choices
New York Legal Assistance Group
450 W. 33rd Street, 11th Floor
New York, New York 10001
For more information about advance directives or to schedule a workshop or staff training, please contact Total Life Choices at 212.371.6873 or tlc@nylag.org.
Resources
Total Life Choices: Will Your Health Care Choices Be Honored?
Total Life Choices Forms Packet
Total Life Choices Project
Frequently Asked Questions
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