Planning your estate is a crucial task that provides peace of mind and clarity for your loved ones, but it can be overwhelming with terms like 'living will.' If you've come across this term and are uncertain about what it means, you need to get a clear understanding. A living will is a key document in estate planning that outlines your wishes for medical care and treatment in scenarios where you might not be able to express them yourself.
What Is a Living Will?
A living will, alternatively known as an advance directive, is a legal document that clearly states your wishes concerning life-sustaining treatments in the event you are unable to communicate your decisions. It becomes effective if you suffer from a serious illness or accident that leaves you incapacitated. The main purpose of a living will is to provide instructions that healthcare professionals should follow to ensure that your personal healthcare preferences are respected.
What a Living Will Includes
A living will typically cover a wide range of medical decisions that you can predetermine. Examples include your desires for life-support if you become terminally ill or critically injured, pain management options, and your feelings about receiving life-sustaining treatments such as artificial hydration and nutrition. It also can specify whether you wish to donate organs upon your death.
What a Living Will Doesn't Include
While it is a comprehensive legal document, a living will does not cover all aspects of your health care. For instance, it doesn't designate who can make health decisions on your behalf if you're unable to do so; that would be the role of a separate document known as a health care power of attorney. Also, it doesn't include non-medical aspects such as the disposition of property, which would be detailed in a traditional will. It's important to understand these limitations to effectively plan for all aspects of your future needs.
Other Important Medical Documents for Seniors
Along with a living will, there are other relevant medical documents that seniors should prepare. One of the most crucial is a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. This designation appoints someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you're unable to do so. Another is a Do Not Resuscitate order, a medical order written by a doctor that instructs healthcare providers not to do CPR if you stop breathing or your heart stops beating. Having these additional documents in place provides a more complete plan for future medical scenarios.
Tips for Creating a Living Will
When creating a living will, enlisting the help of legal professionals is recommended to ensure that the document is valid and accurate. It's equally important to have open discussions with your family and doctors about the decisions you're making so they understand and can respect your wishes.
Senior Helpers Sun City Assists Seniors With Daily Activities
Understanding and creating a living will is an essential part of planning for the future. It offers you a voice in decisions about your medical care when you might not be able to speak for yourself. For seniors in Ruskin, Wimauma, Apollo Beach, Sun City Center, and Gibsonton, our team at Senior Helpers Sun City is ready to assist with all aspects of planning for your future care. Contact us for support in this important step towards ensuring your wishes are respected, no matter what the future may hold.