What is the purpose of living wills?

Living wills serve the specific purpose of expressing an individual's wishes regarding life-prolonging measures in the event that they become incapacitated and cannot communicate their preferences regarding medical treatment. This legal document allows individuals to outline what types of medical interventions they do or do not want, such as resuscitation or mechanical ventilation, facilitating important decisions regarding end-of-life care.

The focus on life-prolonging measures distinguishes living wills from other legal or healthcare documents. While defining patient rights is essential in healthcare, and the notion of documenting consent for treatment is crucial prior to medical procedures, living wills specifically address the situation where a patient is unable to voice their preferences. Moreover, indicating a person's legal capacity pertains to their ability to make decisions in general, which differs from the specific intent of a living will to guide treatment based on personal values and wishes during incapacitation.