Planning for the future isn’t always easy—especially when it involves decisions about medical care in situations where you might not be able to speak for yourself. A living will can help. This legal document outlines your preferences for medical treatment if you become incapacitated, ensuring your health care choices are respected even when you can’t communicate them yourself.
Top Considerations for Your Living Will
Knowing what to include in a living will gives you peace of mind and helps your loved ones avoid difficult decisions during stressful times. Here are the top considerations for your living will:
1. Life-Sustaining Treatments
A living will primarily addresses whether you want life-sustaining treatments if you are seriously ill or injured. These treatments can include:
- Mechanical ventilation: Should you be placed on a ventilator if you can’t breathe on your own?
- CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation): Do you want attempts made to restart your heart if it stops?
- Feeding tubes: Should artificial nutrition or hydration be provided if you can’t eat or drink?
- Dialysis: Would you want dialysis treatment if your kidneys fail?
Clearly stating your preferences helps guide health care providers and ensures your choices are followed.
2. Pain Management and Comfort Care
Even if you decline aggressive treatments, you may still want comfort care to manage pain and ease symptoms. Your living will should indicate whether you wish to receive palliative care focused on keeping you comfortable.
3. Organ and Tissue Donation
If you’d like to donate your organs or tissues after death, you can include those wishes in your living will. Including this in your living will provides clarity for your family and health care providers, making the process smoother for everyone.
4. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders
While a DNR is a separate medical order, your living will can mention your preferences regarding resuscitation. This reinforces your wishes and helps ensure they are respected by medical personnel.
5. Appointing a Health Care Power of Attorney
A living will outlines your treatment preferences, but it can’t cover every possible scenario. That’s why it’s wise to appoint a health care power of attorney—someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if situations arise that aren’t covered in your living will.
Why a Living Will Matters
Having a living will isn’t just about making choices for yourself—it’s about relieving your loved ones of the burden of making difficult decisions during emotional times. Without clear instructions, family members may struggle with uncertainty or even disagreements about what you would have wanted. A living will provides clarity and peace of mind for everyone involved.
In Wisconsin, a properly executed living will ensures health care providers honor your decisions. It’s important to review your living will regularly and update it as your preferences or circumstances change.
Take the First Step Toward Peace of Mind
Preparing a living will is an important step in planning for the future. It ensures your voice is heard when it matters most and eases the burden on your loved ones. If you’re ready to put your wishes in writing, Borakove Osman LLC is here to guide you through the process. Contact us today to take control of your future health care decisions with confidence and clarity.