Summary: Living Wills And Durable Power Of Attorney

There are many legal and ethical concerns surrounding issues of the end of life. Healthcare providers and patient’s family members all must encounter with different point of views of these matters. Prepare a healthcare Advances Directive is a way a patient can ease many of the issues related with the decision to die with dignity. The two primary legal documents of Advance Directives include Living Wills and Durable Powers of Attorney. By implementing these document, patients can make their wishes about health care decisions to both healthcare providers and family members in the event they become incompetent or incapable of making health care decisions. A Durable Power of Attorney is a legal document that patients assigns another person (proxy) to make health care decisions for them only in the event patient become incompetent of making such decisions. This document is important for patients who wants someone other than next of kin the legal power to control health care decisions for them (Sabatino, C.).

This document must be signed by the patient with a witness(es) present, and will go into effect only when a patient has lost capacity to make health care decisions (terminal illness and/or in a state of permanent unconsciousness). A living will is so valuable in health care situation because it provide guidelines for healthcare providers and patient’s surrogate decision maker(s) to follow his/her wishes (Sabatino, C.). In order to withdraw life-sustaining treatments, two physicians must confirmed that patient in a terminal condition or permanent unconsciousness