In 2009, a new sort of advance directive became available. It is called Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). It is not meant to replace an Advance Directive for Health Care, but rather to amplify on it in a clear and easily read manner. Also, it can be used even if there is no formal Advance Directive.Additionally, the POLST form takes the form of a physician order and does not require notarization or witness co-signatures as does the Advance Directive. It addresses your wishes around heroic resuscitation or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as well as your preferences in terms of how intense or aggressive you wish your medical care to be in the event of a serious medical problem.
This is a very helpful list of frequently asked questions from the California Hospice Foundation.
This .pdf document is the actual POLST form itself for your use.
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