What is a living will?
What is a living will
? For many people, the idea of a will prompts thoughts of the traditional last will and testament that is read and acted upon only after someone's
death. Increasingly, however, living wills appear to offer a practical way to communicate your medical care wishes if, perhaps due to illness or
accident, you were still alive but incapacitated and unable to tell loved ones what you wanted.
A living will may contain one or both of a general Advance Statement (AS) or an Advance Directive (AD). While the latter is a legally binding document,
the former isn't. The former gives general information about your care wishes; the latter deals with the specifics of your treatment wishes.
What is a living will? Is it important to create one?
Though not essential or legally required, you can enjoy at least three important benefits when you write a living will:
To communicate your wishes, it's necessary to create one or both of the following documents, the and the Advanced Directive (also referred to as an
Advance Directive or an Advance Medical Directive). In the UK, you can get a living will form online or through your legal adviser.
Advance statements
Though not a legally binding document, these must be taken into consideration by carers if it exists. Furthermore, family and friends of the patient
can use it as evidence that someone wanted to be cared for in a certain way.
Typical content of living wills in the UK includes the following:
Advance medical directive
In contrast to its non-binding companion document, this is a legally binding document that indicates your specific wish to refuse certain medical
treatment and the circumstances under which this would apply. Because no one can insist on particular treatment being given to them, this document can
only include a refusal of treatment.
What is a living will? Keep your living will safe
Having answered the question what is a living will, here are a few thoughts on keeping living wills safe once they've been prepared. Ideally, a
copy should be kept with your medical records, with your GP, at any hospital where you have treatment and with your next of kin.
The living will is a perfect example of a document that could also be referenced on a website such as The Well Planned Funeral which deals with many aspects of funeral planning.
? For many people, the idea of a will prompts thoughts of the traditional last will and testament that is read and acted upon only after someone's
death. Increasingly, however, living wills appear to offer a practical way to communicate your medical care wishes if, perhaps due to illness or
accident, you were still alive but incapacitated and unable to tell loved ones what you wanted.
A living will may contain one or both of a general Advance Statement (AS) or an Advance Directive (AD). While the latter is a legally binding document,
the former isn't. The former gives general information about your care wishes; the latter deals with the specifics of your treatment wishes.
What is a living will? Is it important to create one?
Though not essential or legally required, you can enjoy at least three important benefits when you write a living will:
Communication of your wishes if you are incapacitated
Prompting discussion about your future wishes
Making provision for treatments that might be available in the future
To communicate your wishes, it's necessary to create one or both of the following documents, the and the Advanced Directive (also referred to as an
Advance Directive or an Advance Medical Directive). In the UK, you can get a living will form online or through your legal adviser.
Advance statements
Though not a legally binding document, these must be taken into consideration by carers if it exists. Furthermore, family and friends of the patient
can use it as evidence that someone wanted to be cared for in a certain way.
Typical content of living wills in the UK includes the following:
Treatment you would like (or not)
Details of anyone who should be consulted about your care
Your name and address
A dated signature
A statement that you understand what you are doing
A witness statement confirming your capacity to make a living will
Advance medical directive
In contrast to its non-binding companion document, this is a legally binding document that indicates your specific wish to refuse certain medical
treatment and the circumstances under which this would apply. Because no one can insist on particular treatment being given to them, this document can
only include a refusal of treatment.
What is a living will? Keep your living will safe
Having answered the question what is a living will, here are a few thoughts on keeping living wills safe once they've been prepared. Ideally, a
copy should be kept with your medical records, with your GP, at any hospital where you have treatment and with your next of kin.
The living will is a perfect example of a document that could also be referenced on a website such as The Well Planned Funeral which deals with many aspects of funeral planning.
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