Living Wills

A Living Will outlines 3 circumstances where you can direct and authorize that life support is discontinued.  They are 1) permanent vegetative state, 2) Terminal or 3) an end-stage condition.  A Living Will does not keep you from being placed on life support.  Once you are put on life support, doctors will stabilize your condition then determine whether you have any of the 3 conditions.  If you are currently in any of these conditions, the doctors will ask the person you have designated a surrogate to authorize the discontinuance of life support.  A Living Will is different from a DNR.  A DNR is usually only effective if you are in Hospice.  A DNR is not effective if 911 is called.  The paramedic’s job is to save your life and will more than likely not stop to read a DNR.