Obviously, it is beneficial for anyone, in a vegetative state lor not
to have a Living Will. But, people need to know that many of the Living
Wills utilized today have major problems associated with them.
Living Wills Have To Be Clear
Much of the problem stems from misinterpretation of typical Living
Wills by medical staff. These forms are often one size fits all and
often legally driven and therefore do not flow medically. Also, they
are often recommended to patients with end stage conditions who have
already agreed to only comfort care or hospice interventions. As such,
when medical staff see Living Wills they automatically associate it
with a reduced level of care. This is what makes a standard Living Will
dangerous and it may comprimise your care and safety.
Most people who create Living Wills are unaware of this problem and
wish to receive care, unless they are terminal despite reasonable
medical interventions, or in a persistent vegetative state.
Living Wills Call For Group Discussion
In most cases at least, Living Wills should be read and interpreted by
at least two persons. They can recheck the document and the patient's
history and decide whether to intervene.
Attorneys often help create the problem when writing Living Wills for
clients. They should not be doing Living Wills unless there is some
sort of interaction with the help of an experienced physician.
