A living will is a form of advance healthcare directive. These directives are your voice when you are too sick to speak for yourself. In them, you can specify what direction your medical care is to take when your health takes a turn for the very worst.
Although valid nationwide, each state may vary in the way it prefers the living will to be worded. And, while legal help is not absolutely necessary, it is a good idea to become informed and get some good advice.
Living wills, in particular, come into play during terminal illnesses. They can direct how much, if any, intervention is to be taken to prolong your life when death is imminent.
Some people prefer for all measures to be taken for as long as possible. This includes artificial ventilation, feeding tubes and other means to sustain life when you cannot do it for yourself. A living will can guide this.
Others abhor the idea of becoming a "vegetable." This means experiencing periods of wakefulness and sleep without response to the outside world. They could use a living will to allow few, if any measures, to be taken.
Most are somewhere in between, making a really good case for the living will. The "good death" comes to mind--one in which there may be a swift or gentle decline supported by means to ease the end. This may include special equipment like beds that prevent pressure sores. Being cared for at home and medications that alleviate pain and other symptoms may be most desired.
A living will is a legal document. As such, definitions become very important. Different people involved with your care may interpret "Dying with dignity or hopeless" very differently. A situation in which you are near death from pneumonia may well call for ventilators and feeding tubes to help you possibly recover. You want to be sure of the situation for which your living will issues instructions.
Many hospitals and other organizations issue forms for creating your own living will. Check these carefully for compliance with your wishes and state law.
And, do not cut your loved ones out of the loop. Before you get into a situation where you need a living will, talk to them. Find out their wishes, too. Try to determine if one of them would best be left to decide for you. If so, you will want to leave leeway in your living will for their best judgment in the situation.
Thinking and talking about the end of your life, or that of someone you love, isn't easy. It may bring on a lot of tears. But a living will is the right thing to do both for yourself and those who may bear the burden for you.
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