Living Will or Advance Care Directive

A Living Will or Advance Care Directive

What Is It?

• An advance care directive (sometimes called a living will) is a document that you would sign to express your “end-of-life” wishes. Commonly, but not always, that if your health declines to the point where you are in a vegetative state and certified by a medical practitioner that you have no hope of recovery then you do not want your life prolonged by artificial means.

 What are the Components of a Living Will or Advance Care Directive?

• An advance care directive is a document, similar in appearance to a will, that you sign in the presence of witnesses.

 Why Would I Want an Advance Care Directive?

• You would want advance care directive if you want to let your family, your doctor, nursing home or hospital know your wishes if you are in a vegetative state without hope of recovery.

• You would want an advance care directive if you wish to make your end-of-life decisions easier for your family to make.

 Links:-

 http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/patients/acp/pages/default.aspx