What To Do

As you can see, a Living Will is an important part of one's medical portfolio. Where can you obtain these forms? How do you complete? Who should sign? These are all good questions and we will answer them for you.

The Form

The Living Will form is quite simple. You may be able to obtain one of these from a local medical facility, a legal representative, your family doctor, or from some other representative of the medical or legal community. The form should have some basic statements about your wishes regarding "End of Life" decisions. This may include basics such as what is your opinion of unacceptable levels of life support and at what point you would want such to be terminated. Areas should also be provided for signatories, date, and other pertinent legal information.

Filling It Out

For some, filling out a living will is a distasteful task. However, it is beneficial as it removes the stress of the decision for removal or continuation of life-support from surviving relatives and preserves one’s dignity. Each person must carefully contemplate what he would consider to be excessive life support measures. Some may say, "If my heart stops beating, do nothing," while others may say, "If my heart stops and I am in a coma, then do nothing," and still others may say, "As long as I am mentally sound, do all possible, but if I have lost the chance of having a normal life, then do not attempt extensive resuscitation." Many basic forms separate statements such as the aforementioned into categories but you must decide which is best for you.

A Health Care Agent, or one who can speak for you, is also helpful at this point. This is normally a close family member or friend who knows you well. In the event that you are not able to speak for yourself, and your wish is not clearly stated in some form, he can speak for you as your agent. By clearly understanding your viewpoint, he will express what you would have said concerning specific treatments and situations involving life-support options.

Those Who Would Sign

Being a signatory on an individual’s Living Will is a serious matter. It is important to find persons whom you know well, and who could be available in case they are needed to testify to medical and other personnel. It is vital to have two individuals sign and date the form. These signers should be different from the one who is assigned as your Health Care Agent. They should be given a copy of the Living Will for their records. The original should be kept in an easily accessible place along with any other pertinent medical records.

Making the Record Official

At this point, you might decide to leave a copy of the Living Will with your attorney. It would also be good to leave a copy with your family doctor and any other clinician that sees you regularly. Many have found it helpful to review this information with their family and to leave additional copies with them in order to avoid misunderstandings during a time of medical crisis. Some even keep a copy of their Living Will in the glove compartment of their automobiles.

Conclusion

A Living Will is an important aspect of health care. Although filling one out may entail some difficult contemplation, having one in place can help save you from anguish at a difficult time and spare your family from unnecessary burdens; caring for this important aspect of health care beforehand is effort well spent.