What is a living will?

A living will is a legal document that expresses an individual’s preferences regarding medical treatment in situations where they become unable to communicate or make decisions for themselves due to illness or incapacity. This document allows a person to provide specific instructions about the types of medical interventions they do or do not want, particularly in end-of-life situations.

By designating these wishes in advance, individuals ensure that their healthcare preferences are respected even when they cannot voice them personally. The living will often addresses choices related to life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation efforts, and other critical healthcare decisions, thus guiding healthcare providers and loved ones.

While other options suggest various roles or functions of medical directives, they do not accurately capture the essence of a living will. For instance, some imply an automatic approval for all treatments or a temporary authorization, which diverges from the intentional specificity required in a living will.