| An advanced care directive, commonly known as a | | | | attorney does not depend on a vegetative state or |
| living will is something everyone should have. A living | | | | terminal illness in order to be used. A good example |
| will is a legal document that states specific directives | | | | of someone who would be incapable of making their |
| regarding medical treatments that must be followed | | | | own sound medical decisions is someone with |
| by caregivers or the person appointed power of | | | | Alzheimer's. |
| attorney for health care decisions if you are unable | | | | If you choose not to have a living will or appoint a |
| to give informed consent. A living will ensures that | | | | durable power of attorney your family members may |
| your wishes are carried out. | | | | end up fighting and arguing over what treatment you |
| What Does a Living Will Cover? | | | | should or should not be receiving. Even though a |
| There are some people that think a living will is used | | | | doctor will consult with your family they still may be |
| only to direct health care providers to withhold | | | | split in the decision making. Since doctors only consult |
| necessary medical treatment. While many do use a | | | | with family members, if you are unmarried the living |
| living will for this type of instruction, a living will is also | | | | will and durable power of attorney will enable them |
| a way for a person to ask for all available medical | | | | to have a say in your health care decisions. |
| techniques and treatments should they want them. | | | | An Attorney-In-Fact |
| Living wills are complicated because they deal with | | | | An Attorney-in-Fact is the person you assign power |
| medical issues so it is always a good idea to consult | | | | of attorney. Whomever you chose as the proxy for |
| with your doctor so he can clarify any treatments or | | | | health care decisions or attorney-in-fact needs to be |
| techniques you are unsure of. | | | | someone you trust and is comfortable talking about |
| One thing to keep in mind is that a living will's legality | | | | medical issues. An assertive and diplomatic individual is |
| does not take effect until the patient has been | | | | the preferred choice because you are choosing |
| medically determined to be terminally ill or is in a | | | | someone to be your advocacy. They may need to |
| permanent vegetative state, unable to communicate | | | | argue with the doctors and even your family |
| medical wishes. | | | | members, and in some cases, go to court and fight |
| The Difference between a Living Will and Durable | | | | on your behalf. You need someone who is aware of |
| Power of Attorney | | | | the choices your have made and will support any and |
| Some functions of a living will can be performed by a | | | | all instructions you have laid out. |
| durable power of attorney. The document gives the | | | | More people are choosing to have a living will as it |
| attorney legal power to make any health care | | | | takes the pressure off family members when it |
| decision for a person who is unable to make those | | | | comes to making important medical decisions. Medical |
| decisions for themselves, in some cases it also allows | | | | decisions should never be made with your emotions, |
| the durable power of attorney to use his/her own | | | | but unfortunately it happens too often. This is why a |
| judgment. Unlike a living will, a durable power of | | | | living will is a very important document to have. |