A will to live, formally called a living will form, is a type of advance directive. These legal form
A will to live, formally called a living will form, is a type of advance directive. These legal forms are usually required to be notarized or signed and dated by witne es.
A living will form usually covers ecific directio as to what kind of medical treatment your caregivers will give you or are not allowed to give you. Some people go as far as to refuse food and water if they become incapacitated. A will to live is just that though, it is intended to force caregivers to give you the kind of medical treatment you want if you can't communicate those directives yourself. You are co idered unable to communicate when you become incapacitated or brain damaged.
Another form similar to a living will form is a power of attorney for health care form. A power of attorney for health care form a oints some one you trust of your choosing to direct your health care decisio .
End-of-life health care decisio can be very difficult and emotional on your family; 1/3rd of America have had to make end-of-life health care decisio for their family. A living will form will keep your family members from making these critical, emotional, and frightening decisio .
You are also entitled to fill out a do not resuscitate order if you so choose to do so, this order will not allow your caregivers to put you on life su ort. Often times depending on the ho ital and jurisdiction they will withhold do not resuscitate orders until their confirmed or simply not even recognize their legal power. Most ho itals will not perform intubatio or resuscitation only when faced with these orders but they will treat infectio , pump food and fluids directly into your blood stream, use pain management, and adequate comfort care are often times continued.
These types of forms are valid as soon as they are notarized or witne ed, copies should be given to your doctor, family, and any one else you feel may need a copy.
A living will form usually covers ecific directio as to what kind of medical treatment your caregivers will give you or are not allowed to give you. Some people go as far as to refuse food and water if they become incapacitated. A will to live is just that though, it is intended to force caregivers to give you the kind of medical treatment you want if you can't communicate those directives yourself. You are co idered unable to communicate when you become incapacitated or brain damaged.
Another form similar to a living will form is a power of attorney for health care form. A power of attorney for health care form a oints some one you trust of your choosing to direct your health care decisio .
End-of-life health care decisio can be very difficult and emotional on your family; 1/3rd of America have had to make end-of-life health care decisio for their family. A living will form will keep your family members from making these critical, emotional, and frightening decisio .
You are also entitled to fill out a do not resuscitate order if you so choose to do so, this order will not allow your caregivers to put you on life su ort. Often times depending on the ho ital and jurisdiction they will withhold do not resuscitate orders until their confirmed or simply not even recognize their legal power. Most ho itals will not perform intubatio or resuscitation only when faced with these orders but they will treat infectio , pump food and fluids directly into your blood stream, use pain management, and adequate comfort care are often times continued.
These types of forms are valid as soon as they are notarized or witne ed, copies should be given to your doctor, family, and any one else you feel may need a copy.
