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