50+ Lifestyles

What is a Living Will and Why Do I Need One?

By Roger Brann
Administrator
Bettendorf Health Care

A living will is intended to provide instructions for others to make medical care decisions for you when you are no longer able to make medical decisions for yourself.

Although the term living will may sound like a last will, it has nothing to do with how to avoid probate of your estate or distribution of your assets to heirs. Therefore, do not let the title of an advance healthcare directive form fool you. Originally, an advance directive form was only used to express your wishes regarding healthcare decisions when you are permanently unconscious or have a terminal illness. A living will is intended to provide instructions for others to make medical care decisions for you when you are no longer able to make medical decisions for yourself. A healthcare agent, sometimes called a health care proxy, patient advocate, surrogate, or health care representative, may also be appointed in advance to make medical care decisions when you are not able to make decisions and healthcare choices for yourself.

When you make an advance directive for healthcare or form for living will, you will need to make medical care decisions in advance. The following are some of the medical treatment options and healthcare decisions you should consider if you were to become hospitalized in a persistent vegetative state: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), artificial ventilation to breathe for you, artificial nutrition (feeding tube), dialysis and pain management.

A living will form may be provided to your physician and other healthcare providers, allowing them to follow your wishes for medical care. The form states whether you wish your life to be artificially prolonged if you are a patient with a catastrophic illness or accident.