It isn’t easy to think about becoming incapacitated, but it is something that is very necessary. What if you are unconscious after a car wreck or suffer a debilitating condition that takes away your ability to make your wishes known? In both of these situations, you will be at the mercy of others to decide what is best for you. If this doesn’t sound like an ideal situation to you, now is a good time to sit down and get your living will set.
A living will provides instructions for medical professionals about your wishes regarding specific aspects of care. You can cover as many or as few topics as you want in the document. Some of the more common are regarding organ donation, life support and resuscitation. You can also include information about intravenous hydration and nutrition, pain relief and specific treatments and tests. For example, you might not believe in the use of blood products, which should be relayed in the living will.
On top of setting up your living will, you need to name someone as your health care power of attorney. This person works closely with the medical providers over your care to ensure your wishes are followed. It is best if you warn the person that you are naming them to this duty, so they have the option of speaking to you about what you want while you are still able to answer them.
Plans for your end-of-life care are only one of the things you need to cover in your estate plan. Having a comprehensive plan in place can help make things easier for your loved ones when the time comes to call components into effect.