How to Create a Living Will: A Step-by-Step Guide
Too many people wait until it's too late. Planning for the future means making your medical wishes known before a crisis occurs.
Advance care planning ensures your voice is heard when you can no longer communicate. AARP reports that 63% of older adults have had an end-of-life discussion, yet just 33% of respondents have a living will.
Without these essential senior legal documents, important future medical decisions could be left to chance. Creating a living will and appointing a healthcare proxy or medical power of attorney provides clarity and peace of mind.
Learn more about how to create a living will in Fond du Lac, WI, below.
How to Create a Living Will in Fond du Lac, WI
The main purpose of a living will is to set in writing how to handle any current or future medical decisions. A living will differs from a last will and testament in that it guides medical care while you are still alive.
A last will and testament, on the other hand, deals with financial and estate matters after death. A living will ensures healthcare providers follow your treatment preferences, while a last will distributes your assets according to your wishes.
In Fond du Lac, WI, creating a living will involves understanding local legal requirements. You may also want to consult an attorney or use a state-approved form to ensure the document is valid.
Define Your Medical Wishes
The next step in how to create a living will is deciding and defining your wishes. This involves thinking about the care you would want if you're unable to communicate.
A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that 42.5% of older adults near the end of life required a medical decision, but 70.3.% lacked the decision-making capacity to do so.
For this, you'll need to consider treatments like life support, resuscitation, or organ donation. Be specific about what you do or don't want. This step ensures your choices are clear and respected.
By outlining your preferences in advance, you provide guidance to your loved ones and healthcare providers when needed most.
Consult with Your Doctor
Talking to your doctor helps you make informed choices about your care. They can explain important details like treatment options, potential outcomes, and risks.
Ask about life-sustaining measures like ventilators or feeding tubes. Discuss how your medical history may impact future decisions. Your doctor can also clarify state laws on living wills.
Having this conversation verifies your document aligns with your health needs and personal values, giving you confidence in your plan.
Designate a Healthcare Proxy or Medical Power of Attorney
According to a Merrill Lynch Legacy Study, 43% of Americans over 55 are concerned that they don't have an advocate to look out for their best interests.
Choosing a healthcare proxy or medical power of attorney ensures someone you trust makes decisions if you cannot. This person should understand your values and respect your wishes.
Discuss your preferences with them in advance. Many resources support advance care planning, including legal resources and state-specific forms.
Naming a proxy means you'll have access to the services and amenities you prefer. It provides peace of mind, knowing your medical choices will be honored in any situation.
Prepare the Living Will
Preparing a living will ensures your medical wishes are clearly documented. Start by reviewing state-specific forms or consulting an attorney for legal guidance.
Use precise language to outline your treatment preferences. Ensure the document covers key decisions such as:
- Life support
- Pain management
- Organ donation
- Resuscitation
- Feeding tubes
- End-of-life care
Clarity is essential to avoid confusion later. Once completed, double-check that all required sections are filled out correctly.
Some states require specific wording, so it's important to verify compliance. Keep your living will accessible and share copies with key individuals.
Taking these steps ensures your wishes are legally protected and easily followed when needed.
Sign the Document
Signing the living will is a crucial step in making it legally valid. In most states, you must sign the document in the presence of witnesses or a notary public.
You will need to ensure the witnesses are not family members or people named in your will. This helps prevent conflicts of interest.
Following the necessary legal requirements in your state assures the document holds up if needed. A properly signed living will gives your wishes legal protection and clarity.
Once signed, the document becomes a legally binding expression of your medical preferences.
Store the Document
After signing your living will, it's important to store it safely. Keep the original document in a secure location, such as a locked file or safe.
Make sure it's easily accessible if needed in an emergency. Inform all trusted parties informed about the location of the original document.
Provide copies to key individuals, including your healthcare proxy, doctor, and family members. You might also want to share a copy with your attorney or any close friends who understand your medical wishes.
It's a good idea to ensure it's still in a safe place and update copies as needed to reflect any changes.
Review and Update Regularly
The last and most crucial part of how to create a living will is to regularly review and update your document. Life circumstances and medical preferences can change, so make sure your document reflects any updates.
For example, if you move to assisted living or experience health changes, revisit your living will to ensure it still aligns with your current wishes. You should also discuss any changes with your healthcare proxy, doctor, and family.
By reviewing and updating periodically, you guarantee your living will continues to guide your medical care accurately. It ensures your wishes are respected when needed most.
Experience at LakeHouse Fond du Lac, WI Today
Learning how to create a living will is an essential part of advance care planning. It allows you to outline your medical preferences in case you're unable to communicate. This document ensures your wishes are respected and provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
LakeHouse Fond du Lac in Wisconsin offers compassionate care to meet your needs. We offer comfortable Assisted Living accommodations with a variety of Suite and one-bedroom one-bathroom floorplans to choose from. Our services and amenities support independence, wellness, and a vibrant lifestyle.
Contact LakeHouse Fond du Lac to schedule a community tour with us today!