Living Wills and Health Care Directives

A Living Will is a statement that you writing giving directions regarding medical treatment you may or may not desire at a time when you are no longer able to speak for yourself. A Living Will is also known as a Health Care Directive.

A hospital or medical facility may provide you with a short and to the point statement concerning treatment you may or may not want. However, you have many options and should be offered a great deal of flexibility when considering health care measures that may or may not be life sustaining. Such end of life decisions should be given great care and consideration, and should not be made by you until you understand all the possible consequences of your decisions.

You can also use a durable power of attorney for health care and name someone you trust to oversee your decisions, or make necessary medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so.