A living will is one of several advance directives that people can establish as part of a comprehensive estate plan. Living wills take effect in an emergency scenario where a person may require end-of-life care.
The instructions included in a living will help guide health care professionals as they treat an individual with a terminal condition or injury that is likely to be fatal. Particularly in scenarios where people have unique medical preferences or do not have a spouse to clarify their wishes, a living will can help ensure that people facing major medical challenges receive appropriate medical support.
There are several important medical preferences that people can clarify in a living will, including the following.
Cardiac resuscitation
Some people facing terminal or progressive illnesses do not want heroic measures taken to sustain or prolong their lives. Instead, they want health care professionals to allow them to pass with dignity should they experience cardiac complications while in the hospital. Choosing to forego resuscitation can allow people to pass quickly without the pain of broken ribs and the other side effects of attempts to prolong their lives.
Life support measures
There are a variety of different artificial means that health care providers can use to extend an individual’s life in an emergency scenario. They can hook the person up to a machine that manages their respiration when they cannot breathe naturally. Health care providers can also insert feeding tubes to ensure that people receive adequate hydration and nutrition despite remaining incapacitated for prolonged periods. People drafting level living wills can decline that care even if it means that they pass earlier than they would with intensive medical support.
Pain management
People expecting to make a full recovery after a medical emergency might worry about the possibility of addiction in the future. However, those facing terminal or progressive illnesses often do not worry about developing substance abuse disorders. Instead, they simply want to optimize their comfort.
Drafting a living will is a smart decision for people facing significant medical issues and those preparing for their golden years. Leaving clear instructions regarding medical preferences can take the guesswork out of providing medical support during an emergency and can help ensure that vulnerable adults receive the exact kind of support they prefer.
