A living will is a legal document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment in the event that you become unable to communicate your wishes. It is an essential part of advance healthcare planning, allowing individuals to express their desires regarding life-sustaining treatments and end-of-life care. Below, we present three diverse examples of living wills that illustrate how you can effectively convey your healthcare decisions.
This example is suited for individuals who want to make their healthcare preferences clear in the context of a terminal illness.
In this scenario, Jane, a 65-year-old woman diagnosed with late-stage cancer, wishes to ensure that her healthcare providers respect her end-of-life wishes. She wants to avoid aggressive treatments that may prolong her suffering.
“I, Jane Doe, born on January 1, 1958, hereby declare that if I am diagnosed with a terminal illness and cannot communicate my wishes, I do not wish to receive life-sustaining treatment. This includes, but is not limited to, mechanical ventilation, resuscitation efforts, and artificial nutrition or hydration. I prefer to receive palliative care to maintain comfort and dignity during my final days.”
Notes: This example can be modified to include specific treatments or procedures that the individual may wish to refuse or accept, depending on their personal beliefs and medical conditions.
This example is ideal for those who want to include detailed preferences regarding various medical interventions.
John, a 70-year-old man with chronic heart disease, wishes to outline his desires for various healthcare decisions, including specific treatments he would accept or refuse.
“I, John Smith, born on March 15, 1953, hereby express my wishes regarding medical treatment in the event that I am unable to communicate. If I am in a persistent vegetative state or have a terminal illness, I do not wish to receive the following treatments:
I do wish to receive pain relief and comfort care at all times. Furthermore, I would like to specify that if I am unable to eat or drink, I do not wish to receive artificial nutrition or hydration.”
Notes: This example highlights the importance of specifying both treatments to refuse and those to accept, which can greatly assist healthcare providers in making informed decisions aligned with the patient’s wishes.
This example is beneficial for individuals who wish to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf.
Sarah, a 60-year-old woman who anticipates potential health issues, wants to ensure that her healthcare decisions are managed by someone she trusts if she is unable to speak for herself.
“I, Sarah Johnson, born on July 20, 1963, hereby declare that if I am unable to communicate my wishes regarding medical treatment, I designate my son, Michael Johnson, as my healthcare proxy. I request that he make decisions consistent with my values and preferences. In the event of a terminal illness or irreversible condition, I do not wish to receive life-sustaining treatment, including:
Notes: It’s important to ensure that the designated healthcare proxy is aware of your wishes and feels comfortable making decisions on your behalf. This example can also include additional instructions or preferences regarding organ donation or specific treatments.
These examples of living will examples for healthcare decisions can serve as a framework for creating your own living will, ensuring that your healthcare preferences are respected and followed.