What is a living will and how does it work?
A living will shouldn’t be confused with a regular will. A living will helps communicate your wishes about specific types of life-sustaining medical care, but it takes effect only when you’re in the terminal or irreversible phase of illness or injury. If you sign a living will, talk about it with your doctor and ask that a copy be made part of your medical record. What is an out-of-hospital do not resuscitate order? While most states have medical powers of attorney and living wills, not all have this form that is signed by a physician and allows a patient to refuse cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when outside the hospital. If you don’t have an out-of-hospital do not resuscitate order (DNR), health care providers, such as ambulance personnel, will do everything medically possible to start your heart and help you breathe. Where can I find help to complete these forms? M. D. Anderson’s Department of Social Work is available to counsel M. D. Anderson patients about advance directives a
