TERMINAL DECISIONS: LIVING WILLS If you don't want to be kept artificially alive, possibly in pain and distress, when your medical condition is hopeless and you are no longer able to make your own wishes known, consider executing what is called a "Living Will". It isn't really a "Will" (which is aimed at regulating your estate only once you are dead), but rather an "advance directive" to doctors, hospitals and your family as to what end-of-life medical treatment you do and do not consent to. Whilst the validity of a Living Will cannot be guaranteed (there being still-untested legal considerations involved here), it should at the very least make it easier for those caring for you at the end to make hard decisions in need. Recent Articles for August 2009; Source: www.dotnews.co.za |
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