A living will is a health care directive that implies legal instructions for health care practitioners if the person is unable to express his or her wishes regarding the medical treatment (end-of-life medical care) (Olson, n.d.). Usually, it involves a situation when an individual is in a coma, seriously injured, at a terminal stage of illness, or any other illnesses when the patient cannot make decisions that are crucial for his life. Treatments that a person may include or exclude in the document are CPR, palliative care, mechanical ventilation, and other procedures or medication use (Washington, 2020). A durable power of attorney for health care is also a legal document that enables an individual to name a person who can make health care decisions on their behalf. The chosen person or a health care agent will follow other directions (as a living will) to provide end-of-life medical care. In case when an individual had not created a living will, the health care agent can choose another person among the family members who will make these decisions.
A living will and a durable power of attorney become more popular among older adults. There are two main reasons why people decide to have advance directives. Some prefer to create them to refuse hospitalization at the end of life and spend the time at home together with family members (“Living wills,” 2014). At the same time, others document their will in advance to avoid disagreements inside the family (whether to prolong the treatment or not, for instance) and ease the difficult time for them. Advance directives can be created together with the lawyer or in a do-it-yourself form.
References
Olson, J. (n.d.). Difference between living will and durable power of attorney. LegalZoom. Web.
Washington, J. (2020). Why everyone needs a living will and health care power of attorney: Health matters. Cleveland.com. Web.
Living wills become more common. (2014). Harvard Health Publishing. Web.