“She came with a loving heart and a knowing mind — our angel here on earth.”
Former Baptist Health Hospice family memberEducational resources for patients
What is a Living Will?..
It is your right to decide about the medical care you will receive and to be informed of treatment options available before giving consent for medical treatment. You also have the right to accept, refuse or discontinue any treatment at any time.
Many people want to decide ahead of time what kinds of treatment they want to keep them alive. Advance Directives let you make your wishes for treatment known in advance.
An Advance Directive is a document written before a disabling illness. The Advance Directive states your choice about treatment and may name someone to make treatment choices if you cannot.
There are generally two types of advance directives. They are a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC).
A Living Will is a legal document that allows you to make your wishes known concerning artificial, life-supporting treatment. This is executed in advance of the time when you may not be able to participate in those decisions due to your medical condition. It only goes into effect when you can no longer make decisions and can be cancelled at any time, in writing or by telling someone.
A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPAHC) is a legal document which allows you to designate a particular person to make decisions regarding your medical care when you are not able to do so. This person should be someone you trust to carry out your wishes. It may also be cancelled or changed at any time.
For more information visit the Arkansas Legal Services Partnership web site