What Does a Living Will Form Say, Exactly?
Almost every state has approved specific wording for living wills, and the wording varies from state to state. Generally, however, the living will or advance health care directive says that the person signing the document does not wish to be kept alive by artificial means such as a respirator or intravenous feedings if that person is a) terminally ill and permanently unconscious or b) just permanently unconscious (as in the case of a coma.) The living wills usually have safeguards to protect you, such as having two doctors certify in writing that you are permanently unconscious in their opinion. The living wills also usually say that although you don’t want to be kept alive artificially, you do want to receive medication that will ease your pain or discomfort. Many living will forms allow you to place your initials next to various alternatives, insuring that your living will says what you believe.
