Living Wills
Making end-of-life decisions for a loved one is stressful. How do you know if the choice you’re making is what they would have wanted? Alleviate your loved ones from the responsibility of making guesses about your medical preferences should you become unable to express them. Write a living will.
What is a living Will?
A living will -also known as an advanced directive or ADRT- is a legal document that outlines your preferences relating to medical treatment if you were to become ‘incapacitated’ (unable to communicate due to accident or illness).
What does it include?
A living will focus on the more challenging aspects of care typical in life-threatening situations. It references doctors and hospitals to your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment, such as resuscitation, ventilation, and certain medications.
You will need to clarify which treatments or procedures you both accept and refuse in your living will. You must also specify in what circumstances you wish to withdraw treatment, even if it could lead to your death. However, bear in mind that a living will not be used to request euthanasia, as this is an illegal practice in the UK.
What is an advanced statement?
Whilst a living will, or ‘advanced directive’, covers refusals of medical treatment, an ‘advance statement’ includes any other information you feel is important concerning your health or care. This isn’t legally binding; instead, it’s there to help your caregivers provide dignity and make you feel as comfortable as possible whilst receiving care.
An advanced statement allows you to specify where you wish to receive care, i.e., your own home or a care home, dietary requirements, religious beliefs, routine, and who you would like to be informed about your care. You should provide a copy to your GP or health care team.
Why create a living will?
- As a legally binding document, your wishes will be honoured by your caregiver or loved ones, offering them peace of mind that they are executing medical decisions that align with your wishes. We recommend that you include them in the process to allow them to understand your reasons for your choices and to avoid any conflicts among family members.
- It allows you to address any religious or philosophical beliefs or rituals that could influence your decisions about treatment and procedures.
- It also authorises you to set out your end-of-life wishes, such as organ donation.
How to make a living will?
Step 1
Providing you have the mental capacity, you can create a living will with any decisions relating to the life-sustaining treatment outlined in writing. These should be signed, witnessed, accompanied by a written statement accepting the possible fatal consequences of any withdrawal of treatment.
Step 2
Once created, you should provide a copy to your next of kin and your medical providers so they know of any decisions and can add them to your medical records. If you have family or friends who will be responsible for overseeing your care, discuss your plans with them.