Fewer than half of Americans older than 65 have a living
will or advanced directive according to a recent Consumer Reports National
Research Center survey. Without this
document, which spells out healthcare preferences, should you be unable to
speak for yourself, your intentions for your healthcare may be unknown.
A living will is a document that specifies your healthcare wishes
should you become ill and unable to speak for yourself. A living will cannot take effect unless a
person is determined by two physicians to be terminally ill or in a permanently
vegetative state.
Some people are reticent to complete a living will because
they believe that the document only withholds treatment at end of life. Some
may also be concerned that doctors would
be slower to initiate treatment or not give a patient an adequate chance to
recover should they know that there is a living will. In truth, the writer of
the document can give directions for any and all types of care and can request
aggressive care should that be their preference.
Continued from e-newsletter.
Specific instructions for tube feeding, mechanical
ventilation, resuscitation, and organ donation can – and should be included in
your directives.
Medical issues can become complicated, so it is advised that
you consult with your physician prior to finalizing your living will document. At
that time, you can clarify with the doctor any medical questions you may have. This
would insure that your wishes are being communicated effectively and clearly in
your document.
Examples of Living Will documents can be easily found from
the internet. Some people prefer to utilize their attorney for document
preparation. Once your documents are completed to your satisfaction, it is
important to provide copies to your health care proxy and your physician and to
carry documents with you when you vacation in case of unexpected illness.
This article was written with information from Consumer
Reports on Health, March 2015.
