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What many call a “living will” actually is an advance health care declaration - a written
statement which states a concern that extraordinary medical treatment be withheld if it would not
improve our medical condition, but instead delay the inevitability of death.
No one is required to have a living will. If a person does not have a living will, falls into a
terminal condition and is unable to communicate his or her wishes about treatment, then treatment
decisions will be made by your attending physicians and family members.
If you need treatment at a hospital or care at a facility, you may be asked if you have a living
will. Advance health care declaration forms are available at many health care facilities and can be
prepared by your attorney. When you are asked if you have a living will, no one is telling you that
you must have one.
You may have experienced a situation in which a family member or close friend died. So
long as we are able to communicate our wishes, they will be respected. But if we are not able to
express our own wishes because of unconsciousness or a terminal medical decision, then decisions
about our care will be made by others unless we have a living will on file.
Pennsylvania law allows us, if we wish, to state an intention that some medical treatment be
withheld if that treatment would serve only to prolong the process of our death. Examples of such
treatment include blood transfusions, kidney dialysis and mechanical respiration. If you draw an
advance health care declaration, you can decide which of seven listed forms of treatment you would
want to be avoided.
A living will should be maintained in your family physician’s file. It becomes effective only
if you should fall into a terminal condition or state of permanent unconsciousness and cannot then
communicate your wishes. A living will can also designate another person to make medical
treatment decisions for you if you are not then able to do so.
If you need an attorney and don't have one, the Lawyer Referral and Information Service can help.
Call Us Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM - Noon and 1:15 PM - 3:00 PM
at (814) 459-4411. |
