To many,
planning for their death or the event of incapacitation is simply
superstitious or morbid. Passing away without an end of life plan,
unfortunately, is all too common. However, in the wake of the aging
baby boomer generation (those born between 1946 and 1964), having a
living will or plan in place is more important than ever.
Unfortunately, according to the Associated Press, it is estimated that
roughly 64 percent of boomers do not have one.
What is a Living Will?
A
living will is a document created by individuals who outline specific
medical care instructions or health care directives they wish to
receive in the event they are unable to speak for themselves because of
an illness or incapacitation. The document commonly contains sections
that spell out the details of burial wishes, physicians and location of
care. Living wills are also referred to as advanced health care
directives, personal directives or advanced decisions.
In
many cases, a person assigns what's known as a health care power of
attorney or health care proxy in his or her living will. The health
care power of attorney will have the duty of making sure the wishes as
acknowledged in the living will are carried out.
Living Wills Not Just for the Sick
The
USA Today, however, reports that some people are reluctant to create a
living will or document designating a health care provider.
A
53-year-old female who exercises five to seven days a week told the
newspaper that she doesn't necessarily think she needs a living will
due to her excellent health condition. Others, believing in the "sixty
is the new forty," indicated that a living will or end of life document
is needed only for the sick or elderly.
Unfortunately,
due to the unpredictable nature of life, anyone, healthy or otherwise,
can be struck with an unfortunate or unforeseeable illness, become a
casualty in an auto accident, or sustain a life threatening injury.
Other Benefits of Living Will: Sparing
Families
It's
true that living wills are mainly created to spell out the wishes of
people unable to make health care decisions on their behalf. But, they
are also meant to help family members left behind.
Kathy
Brandt, a senior vice president at the National Hospice and Palliative
Care Organization, says living wills that detail specific instructions
can "spare families a painful fight." The infamous case involving Terri
Schiavo is a prime example.
Schiavo,
in good health at 26 years of age, suffered irreversible brain injury
after collapsing in her home in 1990 and left her in a permanent
vegetable state. She did not have a living will to stipulate the
actions her loved ones should take on her behalf in such an event. So,
the family members were left to decide on their own which route to
take. Schiavo's husband wanted to end her life because he said that
Terri would not have wanted to live in such a state; Terri's parents,
however, disagreed. For years, the family and the courts battled it
out; all while Terri was fed through a feeding tube. It wasn't until 15
years later a decision was made to remove the tube and end her life.
Terri
Schiavo was in reasonable health when this unfortunate accident
happened and neither she nor her family could've ever predicted that
something like this would ever happen. Highlighting the importance of
drafting an end of life plan cannot be stressed enough. A simple
document could save years of drawn out fighting and court appearances.
