The Importance of a Living Will
The morning after my mother fell into a coma, the
nurse practitioner declared, “Her living will take over now.” After 51
weeks of 24-hour caregiving, including making crucial decisions about hospital
and nursing facility admissions, medication and treatment plans, I was finally
at peace. My mother’s living will stated that she did not want to be kept alive
through life support if there was no chance of survival. After examination and
deliberation by her physicians, her final wishes were honored, providing both
her and I with peace and closure.
A living will is a written, legally binding document
that specifies an individual’s preferences for medical care at the end of their
life. It provides guidance to medical practitioners, prevents conflict among family
members, and reduces the emotional burden on loved ones. However, despite its
importance, a mere 40% of American adults have created a living will or a
similar document, leaving 60% of the population at the mercy of others to make
decisions about their end-of-life care. This may be due to a lack of
understanding about the purpose and function of a living will.
In general, a living will include standard direction
on whether life-prolonging procedures should be administered in the
event of an individual’s probable death, specific instructions regarding
medical treatment, anatomical gift decisions, palliative care preferences, and
spiritual and religious considerations. It is important to note that a living
will is not a script and cannot anticipate every scenario. Rather, it should be
considered as a conversation that may change over time as an individual’s
thoughts and feelings about end-of-life evolve.
Every state has different laws and regulations for
living wills, so it is crucial to research and use a form that is recognized by
the state. It is also advisable to consult with a lawyer for a better
understanding of the legal aspects of a living will, although it is not
necessary. With a little reflection and research, an individual may create their
own living will for free.
It is important to create a living will when in good
health, and to review and update it as necessary. It is also important to
discuss one’s wishes with medical practitioners and to inform close family and
friends about the living will. By doing so, individuals can ensure that their
end-of-life decisions are in accordance with their own wishes, providing both
themselves and their loved ones with peace of mind.
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