WHY ARE LIVING WILLS IMPORTANT?
A living will allows a person to express his/her feelings about life support treatments long after they are no longer able to speak or think. No two people are the same, and therefore, opinions regarding treatments will obviously differ. The living will is a document which can adapt to the different philosophies maintained by various individuals. It allows for as much or as little life-support treatment as the maker desires. By executing a living will, an individual can protect their right to choose. Without such a document, decisions concerning life support treatments will be left to health care professionals. Although knowledgeable and qualified to administer treatments, they cannot know, and subsequently cannot respect your wishes as they pertain to life support measures.
