W.Va. center offers end-of-life directive cards

West Virginians can obtain wallet-sized cards listing their end-of-live advance directives.

The West Virginia Center for End-of-Life Care is providing the cards to people who have filed advance directive forms with the agency.

Advance directive allow people to list what medical decisions can be made on their behalf in the event that they aren't able to because of incapacitation or illness. They include living wills, do-not-resuscitate orders and medical power of attorney.

The center's director, Dr. Alvin Moss, says advance directives aren't always available at the time of treatment. The cards alert health care providers that the patient has forms that should be checked before treatment.