Living Will and a Durable Power Attorney for Health Care: 

Both of these are important documents for everyone to have, but you must realize their limitations.

 Living Will: 

This is a legal document that expresses your desires for end-of-life care. In most states, these documents deal with end-of-life issues if you are in a “permanently unconscious state” or have a “terminal condition.” In those cases, life support would be managed, as you stipulate.

 Unfortunately, in most states, the Living Will does NOT address Code status apart from the situations noted above. Therefore, someone who has a living will MUST ALSO DESIGNATE CODE STATUS to healthcare professionals, if they do not want to be resuscitated.

Durable Power Attorney for Health Care:
This legal document gives authority to a designated person to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are unable.

Be sure to discuss your end-of-life wishes with the person you designate as your healthcare power of attorney.

Most attorneys can help you formulate these documents and many hospitals provide these to patients.

State by state listing of Living Will laws: The American Thoracic Society

Five Wishes
This document serves as a Living Will and a Power of Attorney for Health Care. You do not need an attorney to complete this form. It is a legal document in 40 states and can be obtained at: agingwithdignity.org or call 1-888-5-WISHES.