What is a Living Will and how does it work?
A Living Will is a legal document that states what kind of medical care and treatment a person would like to receive if they become incapacitated. It is also known as an advance healthcare directive. In most states, including Delaware, a Living Will is a legally binding document that instructs healthcare providers on how to care for you if you are unable to give consent. A Living Will is written by the person when they are mentally and physically healthy and able to make decisions for themselves. This allows them to make sure that their wishes are respected in a medical emergency. In the document, they can state which treatments they would like to receive, such as kidney dialysis, life support, or resuscitation. Additionally, a Living Will can be used to make decisions about organ donation or to refuse artificial nutrition and hydration. Living Wills only come into effect when the person is unable to make medical decisions for themselves due to incapacity or unconsciousness. In Delaware, a Living Will is only valid if two doctors have determined that the person is not able to make such decisions for themselves. At this point, their Living Will should be used as a guide for how they should be cared for. It is important for people to create a Living Will so that their wishes will be respected in the event of an emergency. It is also important to make sure that the document is updated regularly, as medical treatment and laws may change over time.
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