Understanding Living Wills and Advance Directives

Navigating end-of-life decisions can be challenging. This article clarifies the differences between a living will and an advance directive, providing practical examples to help you understand each document's purpose and function.
By Jamie

What is a Living Will?

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. This may include decisions regarding:

  • Life-sustaining treatments: Whether or not you want to receive resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, or feeding tubes.
  • Pain management: Your preferences for pain relief even if it may hasten your death.

Example of a Living Will

Scenario: You are diagnosed with a terminal illness and become incapacitated.

  • Your living will states: “I do not wish to receive mechanical ventilation or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if my heart stops. I prefer to receive palliative care to manage pain and discomfort.”

What is an Advance Directive?

An advance directive is a broader term that encompasses various legal documents that allow you to communicate your healthcare preferences. It may include a living will, but can also appoint a healthcare proxy, who can make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.

Example of an Advance Directive

Scenario: You want to ensure that someone you trust can make healthcare decisions for you if you can’t speak for yourself.

  • Your advance directive includes the following:
    • Living Will Section: “In the event of terminal illness, I do not wish to receive life-sustaining treatments.”
    • Healthcare Proxy Section: “I appoint my spouse, John Doe, as my healthcare agent to make decisions on my behalf if I am unable to do so.”

Key Differences

Feature Living Will Advance Directive
Purpose Specifies treatment preferences Encompasses multiple directives
Decision Maker None (self-directed) Can appoint a healthcare proxy
Scope Focused on medical treatments Broader, includes healthcare decisions
Flexibility Limited to stated wishes Can adapt to changing circumstances

Conclusion

In summary, while both living wills and advance directives serve to communicate your healthcare wishes, they fulfill different roles. A living will focuses specifically on treatment preferences, while an advance directive can include a living will and appoint someone to make decisions for you. Understanding these differences can help you make informed choices about your healthcare planning.