Living Will (definition of)
A living will is an advance health care directive by which the principal makes his/her wishes regarding medical treatment known ahead of time in the event s/he becomes incapacitated or incompetent to make such a decision.
The living will also includes power of attorney or a health care proxy. This is a legal adult who is authorized to act on behalf of the principal should a physician determine that s/he can no longer act upon his/her own behalf. The proxy's powers and responsibilities are defined by the terms of the living will.
This document specifies which treatments may be given or withheld by caregivers should the principal be incapacitated or otherwise unable to give informed consent on such matters.
In the U.S., living wills and advance health care directives are based on a document called The Five Wishes, which lays out guidelines for creating such a document. Briefly, these specify:
- The person the principal wishes to make health care decisions
- Medical treatment to be administered or withheld
- Comfort level (tolerance or pain, level of personal care)
- Personal treatment (where to spend one's final days, religious rites, etc.)
- Final messages to family and friends (including funeral arrangements)
A living will requires the signatures of the principal and at least one witness; many states also require that it be notarized.
Often, those with an illness like mesothelioma will consider a living will as the prognosis for this type of cancer is terminal.
