When is a Living Will Effective?

<h1>When is a Living Will Effective?</h1>Author: <a title="Dina Brown" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/dina-brown/173305.htm">Dina Brown</a> What exactly is a<a href="http://www.usinfo.info/livingwill"> living will</a>? To begin with, it is a legal document used by any person to specify and make known his wishes with regards to possible life-prolonging medical procedures and treatments in case of unexpected events. Some people prefer to call it as a healthcare directive, an advance directive, and a physician’s directive. In any way, the living will should not in any way be confused with a last testament and a living trust. The two concepts are involved in holding and distribution of a person’s possessions or assets in case of inevitable life threatening instances. Experts assert the importance of living will: it informs healthcare providers and the family about a person’s desires for specific medical procedures and treatments in case that person suddenly becomes unable to speak or decide for himself. In general, a living will could describe specific life prolonging treatments. The declaring person could clearly and particularly indicate which specific treatments he does or does not want to be applied in case he suffers from a terminal diseases or he becomes permanently vegetative. There are of course many ethical, religious, and technical issues that are raised in accordance to the nature and scope of any living will. When does a living will take effect? The document is only effective when the person becomes incapacitated. He should not be able to decide or say what treatments he wants or not wants. Normally, in such instances, it is the family who takes the burden of decision. But people who want to spare their family from making such difficult task decide to pre-empt any medical decision through having a living will. Before the living will is implemented, there must be a necessary and appropriate certification from a doctor that the person is truly suffering from a terminal condition or that he is permanently unconscious. Thus, if the person suffers from a heart attack, the <a href="http://www.usinfo.info/livingwill">living will</a> is not yet implemented because the condition is not possibly terminal. He could still recover and decide clearly for himself. Unconsciousness in such a condition is also not permanent yet. The person could still be resuscitated, despite terms in a living will that he does not want to undergo life prolonging procedures. In other words, the medical professionals could still proceed to their main goal of saving the person’s life or instantly reviving him. The living will would only take effect if in case ultimate recovery gets hopeless. In situations when the person is unable to speak for himself but his health condition is not that dire, the living will still does not take effect. In such a case, there could be a health care proxy or a health care power of attorney. In such an event, the attorney gets the full authority to decide for the patient. The decision could also be legally transferred to a family member or a close friend who is supposed to know exactly what the person wants medically. Many people dislike the idea of being that person because the burden of deciding for one’s life is instantly transferred.About the Author: Many people have certainly <a href="http://www.usinfo.info/livingwill">heard about living will</a>, but not all

of them are familiar about what it is all about.  It may be true that living will may not be a necessity, but it is

very important. There are many things you should know about it:
<a href="http://www.usinfo.info/livingwill">What People Should Know About Living Will</a>
Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/health-and-safety-articles/when-is-a-living-will-effective-1438936.html" title="When is a Living Will Effective?">When is a Living Will Effective?</a>

What exactly is a living will? To begin with, it is a legal document used by any person to specify and make known his wishes with regards to possible life-prolonging medical procedures and treatments in case of unexpected events. Some people prefer to call it as a healthcare directive, an advance directive, and a physician’s directive. In any way, the living will should not in any way be confused with a last testament and a living trust.

The two concepts are involved in holding and distribution of a person’s possessions or assets in case of inevitable life threatening instances. Experts assert the importance of living will: it informs healthcare providers and the family about a person’s desires for specific medical procedures and treatments in case that person suddenly becomes unable to speak or decide for himself.

In general, a living will could describe specific life prolonging treatments. The declaring person could clearly and particularly indicate which specific treatments he does or does not want to be applied in case he suffers from a terminal diseases or he becomes permanently vegetative. There are of course many ethical, religious, and technical issues that are raised in accordance to the nature and scope of any living will.

When does a living will take effect? The document is only effective when the person becomes incapacitated. He should not be able to decide or say what treatments he wants or not wants. Normally, in such instances, it is the family who takes the burden of decision. But people who want to spare their family from making such difficult task decide to pre-empt any medical decision through having a living will. Before the living will is implemented, there must be a necessary and appropriate certification from a doctor that the person is truly suffering from a terminal condition or that he is permanently unconscious.

Thus, if the person suffers from a heart attack, the living will is not yet implemented because the condition is not possibly terminal. He could still recover and decide clearly for himself. Unconsciousness in such a condition is also not permanent yet. The person could still be resuscitated, despite terms in a living will that he does not want to undergo life prolonging procedures. In other words, the medical professionals could still proceed to their main goal of saving the person’s life or instantly reviving him. The living will would only take effect if in case ultimate recovery gets hopeless.

In situations when the person is unable to speak for himself but his health condition is not that dire, the living will still does not take effect. In such a case, there could be a health care proxy or a health care power of attorney. In such an event, the attorney gets the full authority to decide for the patient. The decision could also be legally transferred to a family member or a close friend who is supposed to know exactly what the person wants medically.

Many people dislike the idea of being that person because the burden of deciding for one’s life is instantly transferred.

Many people have certainly heard about living will, but not all of them are familiar about what it is all about. It may be true that living will may not be a necessity, but it is very important. There are many things you should know about it:

What People Should Know About Living Will

Rate this Article:

0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-and-safety-articles/when-is-a-living-will-effective-1438936.html

Article Tags: living will, legal, document, person, attorney, medical, costs, health care agent, personal doctor, health care providers

Related Videos
Related Articles
Ask / Related Q&A

Play

Getting to Know Windows Live and Spaces - #4 - Windows Live Email

Play

Windows Live Messenger - #5 - How to Customize Windows Live Messenger

Play

How to Live Together successfully

Play

How to Decorate your Living Room

Play

Halo 3 Legendary Guide - Ending - Chief Lives (+Bonus Scene)

Latest Health and Safety Articles
More from Dina Brown

Paying for Medicare- Info from WWW Medicare Gov

By: Allen Jesson | 21/11/2009
With the ever expanding needs on healthcare services, the US government keeps on adjusting with the modifications and improvements in its healthcare policies to essentially accommodate these changes.

Four Types of Medicare Packages as Explained from WWW Medicare Gov

By: Allen Jesson | 21/11/2009
Medicare is a healthcare program initiated by the US government back in 1965 under the government of then President Lyn Johnson.

Explaining the Two Options for Medicare Gov

By: Allen Jesson | 21/11/2009
Many of us are wondering where to get the extra funds to finance for our health when we reach the age of 65 or if we happen to have some disability which are two conditions that make it difficult for us to find the proper resources for our financial needs.

Explaining the Two Options for Medicare Gov

By: Allen Jesson | 21/11/2009
Many of us are worried about our financial resources when it comes to paying our medical expenses when we get older or if we happen to have physical disability.

Is Medicare Gov for Free?

By: Allen Jesson | 21/11/2009
Many of us are worried about our financial resources when it comes to paying our medical expenses when we get older or if we happen to have physical disability.

Differences between Part a and Part B Medicare Gov Explained

By: Allen Jesson | 21/11/2009
Age and disability are two of the several factors that hinder an individual from exercising his or her full potential. Not only that, there conditions also pose a big impediment in finding jobs that could serve as the financial resources for an individual.

Is Medicare for Free or Fee-Based Service?

By: Allen Jesson | 21/11/2009
Spending on healthcare can mean cutting a huge chunk of your budget as it can be seriously expensive. A lot of people are currently finding it difficult to make ends meet, especially in the face of the world’s financial crisis.

Get the Right Accident Advice

By: Blake Alden | 21/11/2009
If you’re looking for a reliable claims accident advice then 100%Compensation is the right company for you! Our accident claims solicitors provide advice for free. You only need to provide details concerning the accident and some personal info.

When is a Living Will Effective?

By: Dina Brown | 09/11/2009 | Health & Safety
What exactly is a living will? To begin with, it is a legal document used by any person to specify and make known his wishes with regards to possible life-prolonging medical procedures and treatments in case of unexpected events. Some people prefer to call it as a healthcare directive, an advance directive, and a physician’s directive. In any way, the living will should not in any way be confused with a last testament and a living trust

What People Should Know About Living Will

By: Dina Brown | 09/11/2009 | Health & Safety
Many people have certainly heard about living will, but not all of them are familiar about what it is all about. Perhaps your doctor has asked you if you have one. The hospital and your long-term care facility may have also asked if you have it. It may be true that living will may not be a necessity, but it is very important. There are many things you should know about it. Here are those

What is the Purpose of a Living Will?

By: Dina Brown | 09/11/2009 | Health & Safety
A living will is a document prepared by patient with a terminal illness to make known his preferences regarding the type of medical care or treatment he would want to receive. Essentially, this document (also called an advance directive or a health care directive) enables the patient to decide for himself how he wants his life to be prolonged through medical treatments and life support systems

What is the Difference Between a Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney?

By: Dina Brown | 09/11/2009 | Health & Safety
Patients who might be on a tug of war between life and death can make things easier in the future by creating a living will. Do not be misled by the term—it has nothing to do with a traditional will or trust that is used to distribute properties and possessions after a person’s death. Instead, living wills are documents that clearly explain the type of medical treatments and health care a patient would prefer if they are unable to make decisions for themselves because of terminal illness

What is a Living Will?

By: Dina Brown | 09/11/2009 | Health & Safety
Indeed, what is a living will? We might have encountered this situation before or know someone who did in the past. You might have heard it movies or in television shows but have no idea at all what it is. In its most technical sense, a living will is a legal document issued by individuals which specifies specific course actions that should be taken concerning their health in the event that they (the person who issued the living will) are incapable of making any decisions due to illness or incapacity.

Tips for Living Will Creation

By: Dina Brown | 09/11/2009 | Health & Safety
Are you considering getting or writing your own living will? You might find it not really necessary. But if you want to take control of your life even at the time when you could not decide for yourself or speak up to have it your way, you need one. A living will could spare your family from the difficult task of deciding for your life.

The Fundamentals Of A Living Will

By: Dina Brown | 09/11/2009 | Health & Safety
Everyday, a number of people are bewildered in deciding whether to keep the life of a family member in a permanently vegetative state, not completely knowing what the incapacitated would really have wanted. Cases such as this have been discussed in many courts and caused family members to raise debates and disputes among themselves. Concerns about medical wishes, however, can be easily resolved with a living will

The Benefits of Using a Living Will Software

By: Dina Brown | 09/11/2009 | Health & Safety
The dilemma whether to extend the life of Terri Schiavo, whose case was once very controversial, could have been avoided had she written a living will or an advance directive that clearly states the kind of treatments and life support systems she would prefer or decline.