Knowing The Pros And Cons Of Living Wills



A living will, in essence, outlines the type of medical care you wish to include or exclude in the event that you become too ill to actually make an autonomous and informed decision. The directives may consist of your desire not to be given cardiopulmonary resuscitation in case of a cardiac or respiratory arrest.

You may even indicate your request not to receive tube feeding. Then again, it would be a good idea to be informed of the pros and cons of living wills prior to actually drafting one.

Pros Of Living Wills

Since living wills are considered to be legal documents, they need to be signed in the attendance of witnesses. Some states in the U.S. even require the presence of a Notary Public during the signing session. The very obvious importance of making a living will lies in the fact that this legally binding piece of document sheds light on what you – as the patient – want to happen in case something bad occurs and you become too unwell to the point of incapacity.

The phrasing in a living will, however, is meant to be rather vague so as to encompass a wide array of circumstances. In spite of this degree of ambiguity, you would be surprised to know how difficult the situation would be if you did not have one. Needless to say, the apparent beneficiary of this legal document is none other than you – the owner/maker.

In the nonexistence of a living will, some states necessitate the appointment of a patient advocate – someone who would essentially perform the decision-making in behalf of the patient. This individual, also known as the surrogate, may be a spouse, a family member, or a significant and trusted person.

The situation may be a bit different if you have previously drafted your own living will. The indecisiveness in the air during family visits may be assuaged due to the fact that you have already summarized your wishes concerning life support and other health care measures.

In addition, it is never too early to make a living will. For as long as you have reached a legal age and have established the mental capacity to draw out one, then you can go ahead and specify your wishes for the health care provider to follow. Always remember the inevitability and unpredictability of life. It is definitely better to be geared up than to endure the consequences.

Cons Of Living Wills

The cons of living wills involve a certain number of limitations and conflicts. For instance, the vague use of terms may often lead to differing interpretations. You may perceive the directive of "no heroic measures" to encompass artificial nutrition, while a doctor may not view the phrase in that same light.

In addition, living wills only become active when a person is diagnosed of a terminal illness, or when he or she has become incapacitated. Accordingly, physicians may dispute about whether or not a patient's condition falls under any of these valid categories.

Without the required diagnosis, the individual may continue to receive medical treatment that would have been in contrast to the directive if it were to take effect. That is why a lot of people opt to be more specific in the use of words for their living wills.

The pros and cons of living wills should always be taken into account when making one. Remember that you will only be able to improve the draft after you have considered the negative aspects of the situation, as well as the possible ambiguities in the document.


====================
The information provided on this site is for 'edutainment' purposes only.
No contents herein constitute professional advice in any way. All
information presented by Doug Champigny. To get 5 sites like
this each month with Private Label Rights for your own personal use
online, see the info at Niche PLR Sites or get Private Label Rights
articles from Easy Articles Pro.
====================


Comments

*Name:
*Email:
Website URL:
Title / Subject:
Hide my email
*Comments:
*
 



Living Wills Menu


Living Wills Articles

The Basic Details About Kentucky Living Wills
Living Wills And How They Work
Facing The Difficult Task Of Making Living Wills
Living Wills And Power Of Attorney
Living Will Forms And How They Work
Living Wills: Putting Your Refusal Into Writing
Living Wills: Your Right, Your Choice
The Ultimate Guide In Making A Louisiana Living Will
Exploring The Contents Of Living Wills
Living Wills For Health Care
Advanced Directives And Living Wills In Nebraska
The Details Of California Living Will Forms
Ohio Living Wills And Other Advance Directives
The Advantages Of Living Wills And Living Trusts
Knowing The Pros And Cons Of Living Wills
Living Wills And The Terry Schiavo Case
Living Wills And The Extent Of Your Options
Living Wills: How To Plan For The Future
The Limitations And Alternatives Of Missouri Living Wills
Take Your Pick: Living Wills Or Living Trusts
Differentiating A Living Will And A Living Trust
Questions Worth Asking About Advance Directives And Living Wills
Step One: Get Free Living Wills Online
Massachusetts Living Wills 101






Living Wills Articles


Living Wills And How They Work The concept of living wills may not be very clear to a..


Living Wills: Putting Your Refusal Into Writing The current medical advances have made it possible for health care..


The Ultimate Guide In Making A Louisiana Living Will The Louisiana living will – also known as the Louisiana Declaration –..


Facing The Difficult Task Of Making Living Wills Preparing living wills is not an idea that is readily welcomed by..


The Details Of California Living Will Forms The California Probate Code Section 4701 regulates all types of advance..


Living Wills And The Terry Schiavo Case The story about Terry Schiavo and the court battles that her family..


Living Will Forms And How They Work Making an advance directive should be viewed as more than just filling out..


Knowing The Pros And Cons Of Living Wills A living will, in essence, outlines the type of medical care you wish to..



Related Videos:

Related News:

 
Is a living will the same as euthanasia? - AsiaOne

    

AsiaOne

Is a living will the same as euthanasia?
AsiaOne, Singapore - Nov 20, 2008
It's called a 'living will', or an Advance Medical Directive (AMD). Confused? You're not alone. Contrary to popular belief, euthanasia and living wills are ...



Stuck at Home - New York Times

    

Stuck at Home
New York Times, United States - 23 hours ago
... our parents are living longer than ever before. Adults over age 80 are the fastest growing segment of the population, and most will spend years ...