A Living Will is a powerful tool for ensuring your wishes are respected in the face of a terminal illness. It is also known as an Advance Medical Directive (AMD).
It allows you to exercise your right to patient autonomy and self-determination even when you cannot personally voice your preferences.
It helps avoid any confusion between family members and the principal regarding the treatment that will be received by the patient in case they both have different opinions on the treatment.
It also helps the hospital and medical staff make quick decisions about the treatment to be given in an emergency situation.
They are often revocable, allowing individuals to modify or revoke the document if their preferences change.
The document should clearly state the medical treatment guidelines on what to do and when to do it.
The instructions must be very clear and easy to understand.
It should also be mentioned that the person making the document can change their mind at any time as long as they are capable of understanding the implications.
The document should show that the person understands what will happen if they make this decision. It needs to say who can make decisions if the person can’t, like a guardian or close relative.
If there are multiple documents, the newest one will be followed if none of them have been cancelled.