LIVING WILLS AND ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

Few of us enjoy talking about legal forms and living wills. But a serious accident or illness can occur at any time. If you plan now, your medical preferences will be known in a crisis, and you’ll spare your family from having to guess what your wishes would be.

• Everyone over the age of 18 should have a living will. A living will is a written legal document that tells someone about your preferences for treatment if you cannot speak for yourself.
• A medical power of attorney (POA), also referred to as a durable power of attorney for health care, is another advance directive. A POA designates the person of your choice, usually a member of your family, to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are not able.
• Some people choose to have a Do-Not-Resuscitate Order (DNR). A DNR is a request not to have CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) performed if you stop breathing or your heart stops.
• You can also specify in your advance directive that you wish to be an organ or tissue donor.




The laws concerning living wills and advance directives vary from state to state. Forms are available from various sites.

The American Bar Association has resource information at www.ABALawInfo.org.

Consult an attorney for information concerning advance directives and the laws in your state.