How to Do a Living Will Yourself
Creating a living will is an essential step in ensuring that your medical wishes are respected in the event of your incapacity. A living will, also known as an advance healthcare directive, allows you to specify the types of medical treatments you want or don’t want to receive if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. This article will guide you through the process of drafting a living will on your own, without the need for a lawyer.
1. Understand the Purpose of a Living Will
Before you begin drafting your living will, it’s crucial to understand its purpose. A living will helps your family, friends, and healthcare providers make informed decisions about your medical care when you are unable to communicate your wishes. It can cover a range of topics, including life-sustaining treatments, artificial nutrition and hydration, and organ donation.
2. Gather Information
To create a comprehensive living will, gather information about the various medical treatments and procedures that might be relevant to your situation. Research different types of life-sustaining treatments, such as ventilators, dialysis, and feeding tubes. Understand the potential risks and benefits of each treatment, as well as the costs involved.
3. Draft Your Living Will
Start by drafting your living will in a word processor or on a piece of paper. Begin with a clear statement of your intention to create a living will. Then, address the following topics:
– Life-sustaining treatments: Specify whether you want to receive life-sustaining treatments, such as ventilators, dialysis, or feeding tubes, if you are terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state.
– Artificial nutrition and hydration: Indicate whether you want to receive artificial nutrition and hydration, such as intravenous fluids or tube feeding, if you are unable to eat or drink on your own.
– Comfort care: Express your wishes for comfort care, such as pain management and symptom relief, if you are terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state.
– Organ donation: Decide whether you want to donate your organs and tissues for transplantation after your death.
– Other medical treatments: Include any other specific medical treatments or procedures you want to avoid or receive.
4. Review and Revise
After drafting your living will, review it carefully to ensure that it accurately reflects your wishes. Consider seeking feedback from a trusted friend or family member. If necessary, revise your living will to address any concerns or questions.
5. Sign and Witness
To make your living will legally binding, sign it in the presence of two witnesses or a notary public. The witnesses or notary should also sign the document to confirm that you signed it voluntarily and that you were of sound mind at the time.
6. Store Your Living Will Safely
Keep your living will in a safe and accessible place, such as a fireproof safe or a secure online storage service. Inform your family, healthcare providers, and close friends about the location of your living will so that they can access it when needed.
7. Update Your Living Will
As your life circumstances change, update your living will to reflect your current wishes. This may include changes in your health, relationships, or values. Review and revise your living will periodically to ensure that it remains up to date.
By following these steps, you can create a living will that will help ensure your medical wishes are respected in the event of your incapacity. Remember that taking the time to draft a living will is an important gift to your loved ones, as it can help alleviate their stress and anxiety during a difficult time.
