Who gets to make my medical decisions? (Part 4)
Another way we can ensure that our wishes are adhered to is through a Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates, which is also known as a living will. As I’ve discussed previously, when someone is unable to make decisions for themselves, there is either a designated decision maker through an MPOA or a delegated decision maker, which is determined by a hierarchy. A living will precedes all of them and goes into effect when you’re no longer able to make decisions for yourself. The things that are covered by a living will are:
Your preference regarding life-sustaining treatment if you have a terminal condition within 6 months
Your preference regarding life-sustaining treatment if you have an irreversible condition
Your preferences regarding specific treatments–such as CPR, artificially administered nutrition and hydration, intravenous antibiotics, etc.–and whether you do or do not want specific treatments
If you do not have a MPOA, you can designate decision makers for yourself
Just like with the MPOA form, you can either sign the form with a notary and have the form notarized, or sign it in front of two competent witnesses. If you’re using two witnesses, pay attention to who cannot be used as a witness (this is on the form).
Other important things to understand:
As long as someone is still considered competent to make decisions about their care, they can revoke the living will and either designate or delegate their decision making
Give family members copies of the living will and keep the original in a safe place
If there is more than one living will, the most recent will be the one that’s followed
Let your family members know what preferences you’ve indicated on your living will. There have been times when a family’s preference is for any and all treatments to be used, but if the living will differs it will be followed over a family’s preferences
The point of a living will is for someone to make a choice about their own care while they’re not feeling pressured or under extreme stress.
Many family members find living wills to be a gift since they aren’t forced to make decisions while pressured and under extreme stress. It can be a terrible burden for a loved one to make the decision if or when to withdraw care
Living Will
