| Everyday, a number of people are bewildered in | | | | beforehand the other person’s preferences |
| deciding whether to keep the life of a family | | | | and medical wishes. In some states, living will and |
| member in a permanently vegetative state, not | | | | POA are in a combined form under the name |
| completely knowing what the incapacitated would | | | | Advance Directives. |
| really have wanted. Cases such as this have been | | | | Living will is oftentimes associated with older |
| discussed in many courts and caused family | | | | people, but since all people are subject to any |
| members to raise debates and disputes among | | | | eventuality, it is recommended that anyone aged |
| themselves. Concerns about medical wishes, | | | | 18 and above should make a living will. This, of |
| however, can be easily resolved with a living will. | | | | course, appears creepy to some people, but it |
| Although the fundamentals of a living will were not | | | | has to be understood that making a living will lifts |
| widely received decades ago, completing a living | | | | the emotional burden off the family members |
| will have become more appealing in the recent | | | | when the need to make medical decisions arrive. |
| years. In fact, 41% of the Americans made their | | | | It can also spare the patient from prolonged |
| living will in 2007. | | | | suffering, if he, particularly, is beyond recovery. |
| A living will is a document in which a person | | | | And this can likewise mean less financial spending |
| determines the life-prolonging procedures, | | | | for the professional and facility fees. But |
| measures, or treatments he wants or | | | | ultimately, it gives the patient the privilege to |
| doesn’t want to undergo in the event he is | | | | decide for himself even in comatose or |
| not in any capacity to decide for himself or | | | | vegetative state. |
| communicate his preference. Essentially, it his | | | | Laws on living will vary from state to state. Some |
| written directives that would guide his physicians | | | | states require living will to be notarized; others do |
| and other health care providers in the course of | | | | not. There are also states that use standard living |
| medical treatment. The person, through a living | | | | will form, and states that have specific instructions |
| will, can tell if he wants to be revived through | | | | on making a living will. Before making a living will, |
| cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), be nourished | | | | therefore, it is important for a person to know |
| through feeding tubes, or be supported through | | | | the fundamentals of a living will in the state he is |
| mechanical ventilation, among other things. If so, | | | | residing in. As soon as the living will is completed, |
| when and for how long does he intend to be on | | | | copies must be distributed to loved ones, health |
| such support devices? | | | | care agent (if there is a signed POA), personal |
| Living wills can be very specific, although at times | | | | doctor, and, in case of hospitalization, attending |
| it can be very general, which is why having a | | | | physicians. |
| medical power of attorney (POA) is sometimes | | | | Changes can be made in the living will; however, |
| recommended. A POA is another document in | | | | these should be brought to the attention of all |
| which a person authorizes another individual to | | | | people concerned. The old living will, which must |
| speak for him in case he has inability to do so and | | | | be destroyed, will then be superseded by the |
| sometimes interpret the living will. This person, | | | | new version. |
| called health care agent or proxy, must know | | | | |