What is your opinion on Living wills?

Question

Do you think everyone should have them? When should you get on? I am writting a paper on this and am wondering What would or does your living will say?
Thanks for those of you who help!

Answer 1

I think everyone should have one.
Mine, and my wife's essentially give the dr's the power to decide if it is worth keeping us alive or letting go.
Essentially, we're saying "doctor, do the best thing."
When my mother was about to die, I was not there. My wife was. My mom went into cardiac arrest, they tried to revive her,
when it became apparent it wasn't going to work, the dr asked my wife what to do. She told the dr,, do what you think is best. He left my mom go, and i never had trouble with the decision.
I had a paralegal who
worked for me part time, I had them draw mine up. She charged me one pizza.
Seriously, there will be no Terry Schaivo situation in my house.

Answer 2

I think everyone should have a living will. There is not alot of cost in setting them up, can check out the book and xerox the forms for next to nothing.

As soon as you are of age, and no longer a minor, you should consider taking control of your life and your assets.

Things like accidents can happen at any time, and it is important that you specifiy who you want to make decisions for you... What can be done to you, when you are unable to tell them your wishes...

Who takes care of your kids? Who can access your bank account to pay your bills? Who can seek legal action on your behalf?

Answer 3

I think they're a great thing, I just took a 'death and dying' class we talked a lot about living wills. I think they help out a lot and prevent a lot of hard feelings toward other people in your family. This way no one is fighting about what is 'right' and what 'you would have wanted.' This way everyone knows what you want.

Answer 4

My medical ethics students get exposed to the topic early. There is far more to talk about than just a living will. We go over all types of Advanced Directives, Living Wills and a Medical Power of Attorney.

However the situation someone explained about his mother should have been her decision or could have been disputed because there was no medical power of attorney appointed- the doctor did not have to contact him or his wife.

A living will:
A living will applies in situations where the decision to use such treatments may prolong your life for a limited period of time and not obtaining such treatment would result in your death. It does not mean that medical professionals would deny you pain medications and other treatments that would relieve pain or otherwise make you more comfortable. Living wills do not determine your medical treatment in situations that do not affect your continued life, such as routine medical treatment and non life-threatening medical conditions. In all states the determination as to whether or not you are in such a medical condition is determined by medical professionals, usually your attending physician and at least one other medical doctor who has examined you and/or reviewed your medical situation. Most states permit you to include other medical directions that you wish your physicians to be aware of regarding the types of treatment you do or do not wish to receive.

AND Health Care Proxy

A "health care proxy," sometimes called a "health care surrogate" or "durable medical power of attorney," is the appointment of a person to whom you grant authority to make medical decisions in the event you are unable to express your preferences. Most commonly, this situation occurs either because you are unconscious or because your mental state is such that you do not have the legal capacity to make your own decisions. Normally, a single individual is appointed as your health care proxy, though quite commonly one or more alternate persons are designated in the event your first choice proxy is unavailable. As with the living will, medical professionals will make the initial determination as to whether or not you have the capacity to make your own medical treatment decisions. The health care proxy is a durable power of attorney specifically designed to cover medical treatment. As with living wills, depending on your state of residence, it may be a state-determined form or may be drafted individually by your attorney.

In addition your living will also covers: Organ and Tissue Donation

In many states you can include in your advance directive your preference to become an organ or tissue donor at the time of death. State law varies, and you should check with your attorney. Even if your state is one in which your driver's license contains an organ or tissue donor statement, you need to express this by letting your health care proxy, your family, and your physician know your desire to become a donor. In some states you also need to be registered as an organ and tissue donor.

Answer 5

I think it's a good option.

I don't believe in forcing people to be smart about decision making, so no I don't think we should make people have them.

I'm glad the option is available to set forth your wishes in the event of medical incapacity, because it gives people one more way they can take control of their own lives.

Answer 6

get one as soon as you turn 18. update regularly. say what you want to happen if you are incapacitated.