A living will is a document in which the signer requests not to be kept alive by medical life support systems in the event of a terminal illness. Durable power of attorney is a person you have asked to make your medical decisions if you suddenly become incapacitated. Together these two items combine into something called advanced health medical directives.

In 1990, the United States Congress created the Patient Self-Determination Act. The Patient Self-Determination Act is a law that guarantees that patients in hospitals, home health agencies, nursing homes, hospices, and HMOs are advised of their individual state laws granting them the right to prepare advanced health care directives. Once the papers are drawn up advanced health care directives are then filed with the patients medical records. Once the advanced health care directives are filed any health care provider can access the information when they open the patient's medical file. When people are considering an advanced health care directive they should remember that each state has its own laws regarding living wills and durable power of attorney. Although health care providers have a great deal of respect for living wills very few Americans have one.

Living wills can be as detailed or as vague as the patient wants. If a patient writes a detailed living will, the more circumstances they consider, they are more likely to receive exactly the medical treatment they desire. On the other hand if a patient writes a vague will and leaves only a few directives the more likely a doctor is to find a way to save the patients life without compromising the patients will.

Most living wills deal with medical procedures such as blood transfusions, dialysis, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, tissue and organ donation, diagnostic tests, respirators use, and surgery. Many wills have directions regarding medication, water, and food. When drawing up a will patients should check and see what their home state considers life prolonging treatments and how they differ from relief from pain and discomfort. Some patients put time limits on the length of time they wish to receive treatment.

When you start preparing your living will it is important to sit down with your family. Tell them what you are doing. Explain what types of treatment you are considering and what treatments you are refusing if the unthinkable happens and you are no longer able to communicate your whishes. The more your family understands about your medical wishes in advance the more they will be able to do to see to its execution.

In addition to preparing a living will patients should consider selecting an adult to handle durable power of attorney, Patients can select any competent adult over eighteen years old whom they trust and is comfortable with the position.

You can draft a living will on a standardized form; If you like you can seek the aid of an attorney or do it on your own. There are many online resources that offer assistance if you need it. Most hospitals offer medical directive resources.

It is estimated that less then five percent of the United States population will find themselves in a position where they need a living will.