A Living Will - Odds Are You Don"t Know What it Is
Most people do not know what a living will is.
If you really do know, you are in the minority.
And, if you actually have one, you could be considered an endangered species! You could also be considered someone who knows what you want and cares about those close to you; cares enough to not put them through the emotional, physical, and financial struggles we see daily in the intensive care unit.
As an ICU nurse, we are required to ask about a living will or advanced directives with all new admissions.
Some patients aren't able to answer so we question the patient's family.
For this reason, I am acutely aware that few know what a living will is.
Even fewer have taken the short amount of time and money to put a living will in place.
Common Example: A 50 year old is wheeled into the ICU in the middle of a stroke and the chaos that accompanies the initial treatment.
A physician squeezes through the mass of medical personnel surrounding the patient.
The doctor speaks very broken English.
Competing with bubbling oxygen, nurses, buzzing beds, beeping pumps, pagers, and ringing phones; he asks the foggy patient, "If ya heart stop, you wan everytene done?" The patient looks blank.
The doctor repeats the question.
If anything, the patient displays an irritation with the question and increased anxiety.
Here's the point.
When a traumatic event has happened you are scared to death.
You're unable to hear well, understand, and possibly unable to think clearly or speak.
Is this the time to be making decisions about your health care choices regarding quality life and a quality death? I can assure you it is not.
Not for the patient and not for his family.
It the midst of a crisis, no one thinks clearly.
Nearly everyone will reply that "yes" they want "everything" done for themselves or their family.
It's often a survival instinct for a patient and it serves as a protective mechanism against future guilt for families.
"Of course I want everything done for my father!" This response often comes accompanied by an indignant tone, insulted that we would ask such a question.
The responder most likely does not realize that "everything" could mean years on total life support if the stroke extends causing brain death.
How would you like to be medically treated while you are living and while you are dying? What is a minimally acceptable quality of life for you? What is your will under these circumstances? True Example: My mother; full of life, go-getter, but with a guarded cardiac history.
Her biggest fear was not death, but being incapacitated in some way.
Her Living Will; also known as her Advanced Directive for Health Care Decisions states "Fully Ambulatory" - underlined and bolded, as her answer to what a minimally acceptable functional ability would be.
Most people are not this extreme.
Many persons have quality of life at a far lesser degree of functioning.
But this was HER choice and that's the whole point.
And I, as the designated power of attorney for health care decisions; was bound to abide by it.
No arguing, no wondering, no guessing what "she would have wanted.
" Communicate your wishes while you are healthy and able.
Talk to your family.
Most families do not agree on medical decisions, so legally designate one person whom you trust to speak for you in case you cannot.
Lay out your "directions in advance for your health care decisions"; your Advanced Directives for Health Care Decisions.
It means the same thing.
Become one of the few that knows a living will is not at all a last will and testament.
Be a patient who will not tell me that, "your family knows who gets your jewelry, so you don't need a living will.
" Don't let a hospital ethics committee or a heated debate at your bedside decide your future.
There are easy to use computer software programs for as little as fifteen dollars that lead you through creating your own living will, advanced directives, and power of attorney for health care decisions in less than 1 hour.
With your own software, you can amend your directives at any time.
Set an example for the rest of your family.
Do your own Living Will, print it out and give a copy to your health care professionals and everyone important to you.
The best time is now.
If you really do know, you are in the minority.
And, if you actually have one, you could be considered an endangered species! You could also be considered someone who knows what you want and cares about those close to you; cares enough to not put them through the emotional, physical, and financial struggles we see daily in the intensive care unit.
As an ICU nurse, we are required to ask about a living will or advanced directives with all new admissions.
Some patients aren't able to answer so we question the patient's family.
For this reason, I am acutely aware that few know what a living will is.
Even fewer have taken the short amount of time and money to put a living will in place.
Common Example: A 50 year old is wheeled into the ICU in the middle of a stroke and the chaos that accompanies the initial treatment.
A physician squeezes through the mass of medical personnel surrounding the patient.
The doctor speaks very broken English.
Competing with bubbling oxygen, nurses, buzzing beds, beeping pumps, pagers, and ringing phones; he asks the foggy patient, "If ya heart stop, you wan everytene done?" The patient looks blank.
The doctor repeats the question.
If anything, the patient displays an irritation with the question and increased anxiety.
Here's the point.
When a traumatic event has happened you are scared to death.
You're unable to hear well, understand, and possibly unable to think clearly or speak.
Is this the time to be making decisions about your health care choices regarding quality life and a quality death? I can assure you it is not.
Not for the patient and not for his family.
It the midst of a crisis, no one thinks clearly.
Nearly everyone will reply that "yes" they want "everything" done for themselves or their family.
It's often a survival instinct for a patient and it serves as a protective mechanism against future guilt for families.
"Of course I want everything done for my father!" This response often comes accompanied by an indignant tone, insulted that we would ask such a question.
The responder most likely does not realize that "everything" could mean years on total life support if the stroke extends causing brain death.
How would you like to be medically treated while you are living and while you are dying? What is a minimally acceptable quality of life for you? What is your will under these circumstances? True Example: My mother; full of life, go-getter, but with a guarded cardiac history.
Her biggest fear was not death, but being incapacitated in some way.
Her Living Will; also known as her Advanced Directive for Health Care Decisions states "Fully Ambulatory" - underlined and bolded, as her answer to what a minimally acceptable functional ability would be.
Most people are not this extreme.
Many persons have quality of life at a far lesser degree of functioning.
But this was HER choice and that's the whole point.
And I, as the designated power of attorney for health care decisions; was bound to abide by it.
No arguing, no wondering, no guessing what "she would have wanted.
" Communicate your wishes while you are healthy and able.
Talk to your family.
Most families do not agree on medical decisions, so legally designate one person whom you trust to speak for you in case you cannot.
Lay out your "directions in advance for your health care decisions"; your Advanced Directives for Health Care Decisions.
It means the same thing.
Become one of the few that knows a living will is not at all a last will and testament.
Be a patient who will not tell me that, "your family knows who gets your jewelry, so you don't need a living will.
" Don't let a hospital ethics committee or a heated debate at your bedside decide your future.
There are easy to use computer software programs for as little as fifteen dollars that lead you through creating your own living will, advanced directives, and power of attorney for health care decisions in less than 1 hour.
With your own software, you can amend your directives at any time.
Set an example for the rest of your family.
Do your own Living Will, print it out and give a copy to your health care professionals and everyone important to you.
The best time is now.
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