Is a Living Will Really a Good Idea?

The idea of so-called "living wills" has gained increasing popularity over the last several decades since it was first introduced. A living will is a document that provides healthcare instructions and sometimes power of attorney directives, in the event that you become incapacitated due to injury or illness and become unable to speak for yourself. However, there are reasons to use caution when considering this option for yourself, before signing your rights over to others. Think it over very carefully, bearing the following in mind.

Confusion over terminology If you intend to have an attorney draw you up a living will, it is very important that you understand the terms to which you are committing yourself. You may think you understand what a "Do Not Resuscitate"(or DNR) order is, but are you certain you are not confusing DNR with "No Extraordinary Measures"? The difference is a crucial one. DNR means, if your heart stops or if you quit breathing, the medical staff will nothing. They take no measures whatsoever to save your life. They monitor you until your heart and lungs both cease to function, at which point, they pronounce you dead. No extraordinary measures means that they will attempt CPR and perhaps use oxygen in order to restore your breathing or heartbeat, but they will not use life support machines in order to continue your existence.

Forgetting to update Creating a will, living or otherwise, is not something a lot of people like to do. It requires thinking about illness and death and most of modern society would rather not consider these things. Most people do it, anyway, but it stands to reason that if you disliked it once, having to do it a second time is going to be even less attractive a prospect to you. So, once a living will is made, if your circumstances change, you may put off changing the document, leaving out vital new information or even leaving a person from whom you are now estranged in charge of your welfare.

Misjudging your loved ones Many living wills name a person or persons to handle your affairs should you be unable to do so for yourself. This may include that person having the decision over whether or not to continue your life support. Obviously, if this person is not ethical or has something to gain from your death, they are not the best person to be in charge of your health and well-being, and that can be hard to assess sometimes. However, even those with the best of intentions may do something counter to what you might have wished, simply because they are distraught by your state of health. A decision might be made to pull the plug before other family and friends are able to say their goodbyes.