Are Your Wishes Known in a Life-Sustaining Situation?
A living will is a binding legal document you can complete now which declares what your wishes are regarding the use of life-sustaining treatment if you should become terminally ill or permanently unconscious. A declaration of your wishes in a critical situation can be the answers your family needs.
How it works:
- It only becomes effective when a patient is permanently unconscious or terminally ill and is unable to communicate.
- Two doctors must agree that you are beyond any medical help and that you will not recover.
- Spells out whether or not you want life-supporting technology used to prolong your dying.
- Gives doctors the authority to follow your instructions regarding the medical treatment you want under these conditions.
- Cannot be revoked by anyone but you, but you change it at any time.
- Will be followed for pregnant women only if certain conditions apply.
- Specifies the conditions under which you would want a feeding tube.
