What is the purpose of living wills?

Living wills are designed primarily to outline an individual's preferences regarding end-of-life care. This legal document allows individuals to specify their wishes about medical treatment in situations where they may be unable to communicate their desires, typically due to terminal illness or severe incapacitation. By documenting these preferences, a living will can guide healthcare providers and family members in making critical decisions about the type of medical interventions the individual wishes to receive or decline, ensuring that their wishes are honored even when they cannot express them verbally.

The context of living wills is essential in scenarios where decisions need to be made about interventions such as resuscitation, artificial nutrition, or pain management, allowing for a more compassionate approach to care that aligns with the patient’s values and desires.