Living Wills
(ADVANCE DECISIONS)
The British Medical Association (BMA) strongly recommends that all adults should make a Living Will whilst they have the appropriate mental capacity.
And so if you are concerned about future medical treatment that you may receive in the event you suffer, for example, sever brain damage, a stroke, head injuries or dementia; a Living Will can provide peace of mind in the knowledge that your wishes will be treated with dignity, and avoiding futile medical intervention thus maintaining your quality of life.
Although the Living Will is often associated with older people, it should not be considered purely the domain of elderly customers.
Life-threatening situations can occur at any age; for example as a result of a serious motoring accident, (as a driver, passenger or pedestrian), personal attacks, sporting accidents, serious illness/diseases etc.
It is a legally binding document that sets out your wishes as to the medical treatment you wish to receive in the event you become incapable of communicating your wishes.
Living Wills are highly recommended to ensure your wishes are carried out should you become unable, by incapacity, to impart your wishes as far as your medical treatment is concerned in this event.
What is a Living Will?
Firstly, a Living Will is nothing to do with your Last Will and Testament, it is not concerned with your financial affairs. However, the Advance Decision is a legally binding document, and should be filed with the customer’s doctor, close relatives and friends.
A Living Will (probably more properly known as an Advance Decision) is a legal document that sets out a patient's wishes regarding health care and how they want to be treated if they become seriously ill and unable to make or communicate their own choices.
A Living Will then can request that you are kept alive as long as possible, or it can state that you wish life-sustaining treatment to be refused.
Why have a Living Will?
It is important to have a Living Will because it informs your healthcare providers and family about your desires for medical treatment in the event you are unable to speak for yourself. Thus the document may be helpful to your close relatives and to your medical professionals in the case you become seriously ill and incapacitated. Living Wills are a part of planning what to do in the event of serious illness or disability.
What can a Living Will cover?
A Living Will can specify:
- Treatment that a person would like to receive whatever their health outlook
- Treatment that they would like to receive in certain circumstances
- Treatment that they do not wish to receive in certain circumstances
Within the Living Will a person can also identify someone they would like to be consulted on their care when they can no longer communicate their wishes.
What cannot be covered in a Living Will?
A Living Will cannot request that a person does not receive food and drink by mouth.
A Living Will is not an instrument of euthanasia.
What must doctors consider when treating the patient?
All medical staff must act in the best interests of the patient. They will consider your current state of health and the treatment options available. If you can still communicate, then you will be consulted on their current treatment preference. Your Living Will only comes into force if you can no longer communicate.
What happens if there is a difference of opinion on the best treatment?
Provided that the medical team knows you have a Living Will and can access a copy, then your wishes will be respected.
What if you want to change your Living Will?
You can of course amend your Living Will at any time. It is very important though that you tell people it has changed, so that your most recent decisions are the ones acted upon. You must also send a copy of the new Living Will to update those who need to know, such as the healthcare professionals and designated friends and family. There should not be different versions in different places.
Advantages and Disadvantages of making a Living Will
Advantages of Living Wills
- They respect the patient's human rights, and in particular their right to reject medical treatment
- Creating them encourages full discussion about end of life decisions
- Knowing what the patient wants means that doctors are more likely to give appropriate treatment
- They help medical professionals in taking difficult decisions
- A patient's family and friends don't have to take the difficult decisions
Disadvantages of Living Wills
- It may be difficult for a healthy person to imagine what they would really want in the situations where a Living Will would take effect. Therefore we will always discuss and explain the various types of Advance Decision.
- Patients may change their minds but not change their Living Wills. It should be emphasized that
you can change or cancel your Living Will at any time.
- They're no use if they can't be found quickly when needed. Bradley & Benson provide “crisis cards” that should be carried by the individual at all times (like a Donor Card).
Last Wishes
In addition to a Living Will, it's a good idea to prepare a Statement of Last Wishes that sets out how you would like to be cared for in your final days. It's important that the focus should be on creating the right atmosphere in the right place. The content of your Statement of Final Wishes is totally up to you, and you can request anything that may enhance your comfort or maintain your dignity.
Bradley & Benson provides a Statement of Last Wishes Guidance notes, covering the following areas:
- Where you would like to die.
- What, if any, religious or spiritual support you would appreciate.
- What would you like to see (e.g. photographs of loved ones, a garden or pet etc)
- Who you may like to see, or prefer not to see?
- How would you like to be comforted?
Your Statement of Last Wishes should be kept with your Living Will.
Naturally your loved ones and healthcare professionals will find it helpful that you have thought about, and set out your preferences.
Although a medical team does not have to follow your Statement of Last Wishes in the way it does their Living Will, however, those doctors, nurses and other caring staff who work with the dying will want to make the individual as comfortable as possible.
Important:Medical treatment choices should not be included in the Statement of Last Wishes so it does not duplicate nor invalidate the Living Will.
Included in your Living Will upgrade package....
Please ask your Will Consultant for details of this
low-cost, but very important upgrade package.
