What is typically included in a living will?

A living will specifically addresses an individual's preferences regarding medical treatment and interventions in the event that they become incapacitated and unable to communicate their wishes. This legal document outlines the types of medical care a person does or does not want to receive, particularly concerning life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation efforts, and palliative care options.

By providing these instructions, a living will serves to guide healthcare providers and family members during critical moments when decisions must be made about a person's care, ensuring that the individual's values and choices are respected even when they cannot express them. This focus on medical treatment preferences distinctly characterizes a living will and distinguishes it from other legal documents that deal with surgical consent, insurance coverage, or health histories, which do not specifically address treatment preferences in scenarios involving incapacity.