What Is a Living Will?
A living will is a legal document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment if you’re unable to communicate your decisions due to illness or incapacity. Think of it as your way to still have a say in your care, even when you can’t speak up.
Living wills are also called an advance decision in England and Wales and an advance directive in Scotland. They allow you to specify which medical treatments you wish to avoid in the future. Common examples include refusing life-sustaining treatment like artificial ventilation or feeding.
The main purpose of a living will is to guide your healthcare providers and loved ones. It lets them know your wishes regarding treatment choices in situations where you're not able to make decisions, like severe illness or advanced dementia.
It’s important to ensure your living will is signed and witnessed correctly to make it legally binding. Discussing it with your GP or a legal advisor can help ensure everything is in order and understood by those who need to know.
You can update or revoke your living will at any time as long as you're still mentally capable. Keeping it current with your values and medical preferences is crucial. This way, your living will remains a true reflection of your wishes.
When Is a Living Will Needed?
You might find a living will necessary if you're concerned about your future ability to communicate your healthcare preferences. This document can be crucial in situations where you might become unconscious due to an injury or severe illness. It's like having a voice when you can't speak for yourself.
Consider having a living will if you have a chronic or terminal illness. In these cases, you can specify whether you want CPR or any other type of life-sustaining treatment. It's a way to ensure that your wishes align with your healthcare choices and avoid unwanted interventions.
Another situation is when you're planning for advanced age and want to make your wishes clear in case you face situations requiring resuscitation. Age-related complications can sometimes lead to sudden health changes, making your pre-stated wishes invaluable.
Discussing this with your family and health professionals helps ensure everyone is on the same page. This preparation can prevent uncertainty and stress in emotionally challenging moments.
Having a living will might not seem urgent if you're currently healthy, but it's always wise to plan for the unexpected. By documenting your healthcare preferences, you provide clear guidance to those making decisions on your behalf.
How to Write a Living Will
Creating a living will is crucial for ensuring your medical preferences are respected if you become incapacitated. It might seem overwhelming, but breaking it down into steps makes it manageable.
Step 1: Understand Your Choices
Before writing your living will, consider the treatments you might want to accept or refuse. Think about life-sustaining treatments like ventilation, hydration using a feeding tube, or undergoing dialysis.
Decide whether you wish to accept certain interventions or refuse them, even if it could mean prolonging your life.
Step 2: Consider Specific Scenarios
Reflect on situations where you'd be unable to communicate, such as when connected to a breathing machine or requiring life support, and then decide if you want these treatments.
You may also consider your stance on being an organ and tissue donor after death, which can be outlined in your living will.
Step 3: Draft Your Document
When drafting the document, clearly state your wishes, covering all scenarios you can anticipate. Include specifics about treatment, like hydration and feeding methods.
You might want to use advance directive forms as a guide to ensure no crucial details are overlooked.
Step 4: Legal Considerations
Make sure your living will complies with legal requirements, and you should have the document signed by witnesses to legitimise it.
Whether or not you involve solicitors, a legally binding document ensures your choices are followed.
Step 5: Share and Update
Share copies with your doctor and close family so they are aware of your final wishes.
It’s also important to review and update your document regularly to accommodate any changes in your preferences or medical advancements.
