Knowing The Pros And Cons Of Living Wills
You may even indicate your request not to receive tube feeding. Then again, it would be a good idea to be informed of the pros and cons of living wills prior to actually drafting one.
Pros Of Living Wills
Since living wills are considered to be legal documents, they need to be signed in the attendance of witnesses. Some states in the U.S. even require the presence of a Notary Public during the signing session. The very obvious importance of making a living will lies in the fact that this legally binding piece of document sheds light on what you – as the patient – want to happen in case something bad occurs and you become too unwell to the point of incapacity.
The phrasing in a living will, however, is meant to be rather vague so as to encompass a wide array of circumstances. In spite of this degree of ambiguity, you would be surprised to know how difficult the situation would be if you did not have one. Needless to say, the apparent beneficiary of this legal document is none other than you – the owner/maker.
In the nonexistence of a living will, some states necessitate the appointment of a patient advocate – someone who would essentially perform the decision-making in behalf of the patient. This individual, also known as the surrogate, may be a spouse, a family member, or a significant and trusted person.
The situation may be a bit different if you have previously drafted your own living will. The indecisiveness in the air during family visits may be assuaged due to the fact that you have already summarized your wishes concerning life support and other health care measures.
In addition, it is never too early to make a living will. For as long as you have reached a legal age and have established the mental capacity to draw out one, then you can go ahead and specify your wishes for the health care provider to follow. Always remember the inevitability and unpredictability of life. It is definitely better to be geared up than to endure the consequences.
Cons Of Living Wills
The cons of living wills involve a certain number of limitations and conflicts. For instance, the vague use of terms may often lead to differing interpretations. You may perceive the directive of "no heroic measures" to encompass artificial nutrition, while a doctor may not view the phrase in that same light.
In addition, living wills only become active when a person is diagnosed of a terminal illness, or when he or she has become incapacitated. Accordingly, physicians may dispute about whether or not a patient's condition falls under any of these valid categories.
Without the required diagnosis, the individual may continue to receive medical treatment that would have been in contrast to the directive if it were to take effect. That is why a lot of people opt to be more specific in the use of words for their living wills.
The pros and cons of living wills should always be taken into account when making one. Remember that you will only be able to improve the draft after you have considered the negative aspects of the situation, as well as the possible ambiguities in the document.
Article Provided By:
Mad Cash Club Pro Membership - Get your own Home Business up and running Today! Without the Hassle!
Sage Runner - Affordable Advertising for your Website or Business.
Comments
Return To The
Website Directory
Menu
Articles
The Basic Details About Kentucky Living WillsLiving Wills And How They Work
Facing The Difficult Task Of Making Living Wills
Living Wills And Power Of Attorney
Living Will Forms And How They Work
Living Wills: Putting Your Refusal Into Writing
Living Wills: Your Right, Your Choice
The Ultimate Guide In Making A Louisiana Living Will
Exploring The Contents Of Living Wills
Living Wills For Health Care
Advanced Directives And Living Wills In Nebraska
The Details Of California Living Will Forms
Ohio Living Wills And Other Advance Directives
The Advantages Of Living Wills And Living Trusts
Knowing The Pros And Cons Of Living Wills
Living Wills And The Terry Schiavo Case
Living Wills And The Extent Of Your Options
Living Wills: How To Plan For The Future
The Limitations And Alternatives Of Missouri Living Wills
Take Your Pick: Living Wills Or Living Trusts
Differentiating A Living Will And A Living Trust
Questions Worth Asking About Advance Directives And Living Wills
Step One: Get Free Living Wills Online
Massachusetts Living Wills 101
Articles The Limitations And Alternatives Of Missouri Living Wills A living will is a legal statement or declaration that a person can.. Living Wills: Your Right, Your Choice Every person has the right to self-determination especially on the subject of.. Exploring The Contents Of Living Wills Although a lot of people have heard and known about what a.. Take Your Pick: Living Wills Or Living Trusts Nobody can really tell what the future holds. Because of this.. |
|
|
|
Loading...
|
Related News:
Wife of Justice Thomas starts group for 'citizen activists' (source: Washington Post)Into the heightened political atmosphere between the Supreme Court and the Obama administration comes now Virginia Thomas, the conservative activist and wife of Justice Clarence Thomas, who is founder of a new nonprofit lobbying and political-organizing gr... (source: Washington Post) - RSS and News widget on Feedzilla.com Read more...New hope for the District's school voucher program (source: Washington Post)THE D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program may finally get the attention it is due on the floor of the Senate. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) plans to offer an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill that would continue fede... (source: Washington Post) - News widgets and RSS feeds on Feedzilla.com Read more...Feds urge judge not to delay Blagojevich trial (source: Washington Post)CHICAGO -- Prosecutors urged a federal judge Monday to turn down ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's request to delay his corruption trial, saying public interest in the case warrants a speedy resolution. (source: Washington Post) - RSS feeds and Feed widget on Feedzilla.com Read more...UN court sentences Bosnian Muslim for false testimony (source: Earth Times)The Hague - A Bosnian Muslim who was bribed into lying to judges to favour the defence of a Bosnian Serb later convicted of war crimes has been sentenced to three months' imprisonment, officials at the Hague-based United Nations tribunal said Monday.... (source: Earth Times) - News widgets and RSS feeds on Feedzilla.com Read more...Suspended sentence for Danish terrorism fundraiser (source: Earth Times)Copenhagen - A Danish court Monday handed down a six-month suspended sentence to a man convicted of raising funds for two Palestinian and Colombian militant groups. Patrick Mac Manus of the group Opror, or Rebellion in Danish, was convicted of raisin... (source: Earth Times) - RSS feeds and Feed widget on Feedzilla.com Read more...Supreme debate: Obama vs. Roberts (source: Washington Post)It's not every day that our readers feel so strongly about an article that they file almost 1,500 comments, but that's what's happened as they debate the State of the Union dust-up between President Obama and the Supreme Court over its 5-4 ruling that corp... (source: Washington Post) - News widgets and RSS feeds on Feedzilla.com Read more...Today in History (source: Washington Post)-- Today is Monday, March 15, the 74th day of 2010. There are 291 days left in the year. (source: Washington Post) - News widgets and RSS feeds on Feedzilla.com Read more...Schools, health care, public safety lose millions in Va. budget (source: Washington Post)RICHMOND -- The Virginia General Assembly adjourned its annual legislative session Sunday evening after adopting a two-year, $82 billion budget that cuts millions from education, health care and public safety -- curtailing state spending more aggressively ... (source: Washington Post) - RSS feeds and Feed widget on Feedzilla.com Read more...Alleged rapist and murderer of 9-year-old girl is silent in court (source: Earth Times)Leipzig - A 39-year-old man went on trial Friday for the murder of a 9-year-old girl, who was raped and dumped in a river in a town near Leipzig last July. The defendant, charged with murder, sexual abuse and the coercion of children, remained silent... (source: Earth Times) - RSS feeds and Feed widget on Feedzilla.com Read more...Turkish trio on trial for running far-left terror group (source: Earth Times)Dusseldorf - Three Turkish nationals went on trial in Germany on Thursday, accused of raising money to help finance a series of radical left-wing terrorist attacks in Turkey. The high-security wing of the Dusseldorf court was filled with spectators, ... (source: Earth Times) - RSS news feeds and Widgets on Feedzilla.com Read more... |