Living Wills

Has anyone come across or used a Living Will?

We all know about Wills, but a Living Will is something entirely different, as I have discovered since my ex. passed away recently. My daughter was asked if he had one by the Palliative Care team when he was admitted to the hospital.
I have been online and it certainly is something I am thinking about making as I do not want to put my son and daughter through what they have endured with their father when it is time for me to pop my clogs.
I registered as an organ donor many years ago, but I am too old and worn out to be considered for that now. More recently, I registered myself for Non-Resuscitation, thinking that covered everything, but it does not. You have to be specific about what you are opting out of, so my first step is to discuss it with my GP. to make sure I leave nothing out.
The Hippocratic Oath prevents nursing staff or family, etc., from making any decisions on your behalf, "I shall not harm".
Making a Living Will means that if, for physical or mental reasons, you are unable to make your wishes known, it can be used to carry out your final wishes.
This is an uncomfortable subject to discuss with family, but I feel it could save a lot of heartbreak and distress to ourselves and family, in our final hours.

 

Yes you will need to draw this up with a solicitor. You can also consider Lasting Power of Attorney for health (there’s a finance one too) so your nominated advocate (usually children) can speak on your behalf should you loose the capacity to do so.

You are correct that a Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation instruction only refers to that specific issue (a cardiac arrest) so other decisions eg. treating infections, cancers etc would be at the discretion of clinical staff unless you either have capacity at the time to decline, or you have an Advanced Directive (living will).

There is also a ‘Advanced Care Plan’ system which is usually a documented agreement with your GP or consultant for specific circumstances like palliative or life-limiting conditions which works alongside a ‘Treatment Escalation Plan’. The TEP, is often something that is discussed for every patient in a hospital so should they deteriorate, all clinicians know whether they would be for higher or more invasive levels of care (eg. ITU). This is more of a clinical decision usually as a patient cannot demand a high/invasive level of care but can decline it.

What is a living will (advance decision)? | Age UK

 

I’ve added more info since posting earlier above.