| An advanced care directive, commonly known as | | | | power of attorney does not depend on a |
| a living will is something everyone should | | | | vegetative state or terminal illness in order |
| have. A living will is a legal document that | | | | to be used. A good example of someone who |
| states specific directives regarding medical | | | | would be incapable of making their own sound |
| treatments that must be followed by | | | | medical decisions is someone with |
| caregivers or the person appointed power of | | | | Alzheimer's. |
| attorney for health care decisions if you are | | | | |
| unable to give informed consent. A living | | | | If you choose not to have a living will or |
| will ensures that your wishes are carried | | | | appoint a durable power of attorney your |
| out. | | | | family members may end up fighting and |
| | | | arguing over what treatment you should or |
| What Does a Living Will Cover? | | | | should not be receiving. Even though a doctor |
| | | | will consult with your family they still may |
| There are some people that think a living | | | | be split in the decision making. Since |
| will is used only to direct health care | | | | doctors only consult with family members, if |
| providers to withhold necessary medical | | | | you are unmarried the living will and durable |
| treatment. While many do use a living will | | | | power of attorney will enable them to have a |
| for this type of instruction, a living will | | | | say in your health care decisions. |
| is also a way for a person to ask for all | | | | |
| available medical techniques and treatments | | | | An Attorney-In-Fact |
| should they want them. Living wills are | | | | |
| complicated because they deal with medical | | | | An Attorney-in-Fact is the person you assign |
| issues so it is always a good idea to consult | | | | power of attorney. Whomever you chose as the |
| with your doctor so he can clarify any | | | | proxy for health care decisions or |
| treatments or techniques you are unsure of. | | | | attorney-in-fact needs to be someone you |
| | | | trust and is comfortable talking about |
| One thing to keep in mind is that a living | | | | medical issues. An assertive and diplomatic |
| will's legality does not take effect until | | | | individual is the preferred choice because |
| the patient has been medically determined to | | | | you are choosing someone to be your advocacy. |
| be terminally ill or is in a permanent | | | | They may need to argue with the doctors and |
| vegetative state, unable to communicate | | | | even your family members, and in some cases, |
| medical wishes. | | | | go to court and fight on your behalf. You |
| | | | need someone who is aware of the choices your |
| The Difference between a Living Will and | | | | have made and will support any and all |
| Durable Power of Attorney | | | | instructions you have laid out. |
| | | | |
| Some functions of a living will can be | | | | More people are choosing to have a living |
| performed by a durable power of attorney. The | | | | will as it takes the pressure off family |
| document gives the attorney legal power to | | | | members when it comes to making important |
| make any health care decision for a person | | | | medical decisions. Medical decisions should |
| who is unable to make those decisions for | | | | never be made with your emotions, but |
| themselves, in some cases it also allows the | | | | unfortunately it happens too often. This is |
| durable power of attorney to use his/her own | | | | why a living will is a very important |
| judgment. Unlike a living will, a durable | | | | document to have. |