A living will is different from your basic last will and testament. These are two different wills that you need to prepare ahead of time so you will avoid relatives bickering over you in the future. A senior should not hesitate in doing these important documents as they are very imperative to your health– and I must say, wealth care.
A senior’s living will is sometimes called as advance statement or written statement. This is a written living will that will set clear instructions of your preferred medical treatments if and when you are no longer capable of deciding for yourself. Such cases include but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, and falling into coma.
Living will primarily deals with end-of-life issues for seniors. This is not binding as your last will and testament but healthcare providers consider such advance statement and use them as reference for treatments you would and would rather not receive in cases of mental impairment. This can also help your children in deciding for you when that unfortunate time comes. Living wills can also be dictated to a voice recorder or written in presence of an authority, if preferred.
Living wills are best made when the senior in question is still in the right frame of mind so don’t forget to include dates within your will and with a witness around. Your living will should include treatments you would have in certain circumstances. This means you need to consider levels and progression of a suspected disease. Also, you must consider what to do if you reached the highest deterioration point possible. A senior making a living will should also try to explain how he or she arrived to such decisions because this will only prove he is very much aware of its health implications. Go over this with your healthcare provider; you should also furnish a copy for your doctor so he will know what to do in cases of emergencies. Living wills can be changed anytime you want to just as long as you know what you are doing.
In cases of absent partner with multiple children, a senior may assign one of his children to decide for him. This will eliminate arguments and spats within family members over medical decisions. This is possible by healthcare power of attorney which will allow you to appoint the decision maker on your behalf when you are unable to do it yourself. By the way, this is only effected when it concerns your health and not other matters such as financial and estates.
Some seniors hesitate making a living will or any will for that matter just because some of them believe that it can mean welcoming death and illnesses at their doorsteps. You should remember that these wills are done for practicality reasons. You are just making sure that all your wishes are done accordingly; that everything you will leave behind is safe and secure and will fall on the intended person’s hand. This will not invite disease, illnesses and death; you are just preparing for what’s inevitable.
