A survey by LegalShield, posted by Investment News, found that 90% of Americans understand the importance of having a will. Surprisingly, less than 50% have actually created one.
Many people think that a living will only cover money, property, or belongings after death. But planning for the future is more than that. It’s also about making sure your healthcare wishes are known while you’re still alive.
Knowing how to create a living will in Portage helps you decide the medical care you want if you can’t speak for yourself. It also spares loved ones from having to face tough decisions during a medical crisis.
Creating a living will doesn’t have to be hard as long as you’ve got the right guide. Keep reading to learn what a living will is and how to create one so your wishes are honored.
What Is a Living Will?
It’s one of the senior legal documents that outline your healthcare wishes when you become unable to communicate. Unlike a last will or testament, a living will focuses on medical care, not property or assets.
This document guides doctors and family members while you are still alive but incapacitated. It helps them follow your wishes without second-guessing.
Key components of a living will include the following:
Life-Sustaining Treatments
This section covers decisions about machines or treatments that keep you alive. You can specify if you want to be placed on a ventilator or receive dialysis.
Pain Management Preferences
You can outline your wishes for pain relief, even if it may shorten your life. Doing so ensures that your comfort is prioritized according to your values.
Organ Donation Directives
Your living will can also include your choice about organ or tissue donation. This lets your loved ones and healthcare providers know if you wish to donate after death.
Why Portage Seniors Should Have a Living Will
Advance care planning is essential, especially for seniors. It helps you stay in control of your medical care and ease the burden on your family.
Here’s why creating a living will is a smart choice for Portage seniors:
- Be prepared for the unexpected
- Prevent family conflicts
- Ensure care aligns with your values
In Michigan, living wills are part of advance care planning. While they are not legally binding, healthcare providers and loved ones often follow them to respect your wishes.
Steps to Create a Living Will
Creating a living will may feel overwhelming. Breaking it down into simplified steps can help. Here’s how you can get started:
Understand What You Want
Take time to reflect on your values and medical treatment preferences. Consider the following:
- Do you want life-sustaining measures like CPR or feeding tubes?
- What are your pain management preferences?
- Where would you prefer to receive care?
If you want support while staying independent in your golden years, consider a senior living community. Our community at Rittenhouse Village At Portage offers compassionate care, comfortable living, and peace of mind. We honor your healthcare preferences while supporting an active, fulfilling lifestyle.
Learn State Requirements
Research Michigan’s specific laws on living wills and advance directives. Ensure your document meets any state-specific wording or witnessing requirements. This protects your choices and prevents legal challenges during a medical emergency.
Choose a Healthcare Proxy or Medical Power of Attorney
A medical proxy and a medical power of attorney serve similar roles but can differ by state. In general, a healthcare proxy is the person you name to make medical decisions for you. A medical power of attorney is the legal document that gives them that authority.
It’s important to choose someone you trust. Someone who understands your values and wishes.
This person should be prepared to make tough future medical decisions for you if you can’t speak for yourself.
Draft the Living Will
Use reliable templates or consult a legal professional to draft your living will. This ensures the document is clear, accurate, and legally valid. Be specific about the medical treatments you want or wish to refuse.
Clear instructions help avoid confusion later. You can also include your preferences on pain management and organ donation. A well-drafted living will can give your loved ones and healthcare providers confidence in following your wishes.
Review with Healthcare Providers and Family
Share your living will with your doctor and request that they add it to your medical records. This ensures that your healthcare team is aware of your wishes when it matters most.
Discuss your decisions openly with your family members. Clear communication helps avoid confusion or disagreements during difficult times. It also helps give your family peace of mind, knowing they’re honoring your choices.
Finalize, Sign, and Store
Follow Michigan’s signing and witnessing requirements carefully to make your living will legally valid. Make copies for your healthcare proxy, doctor, and trusted family members.
This ensures that everyone involved is aware of your wishes and can access the document when needed. Store the original document somewhere safe but easily accessible in case of an emergency.
Updating Your Living Will
Your living will isn’t a one-time task. It’s important to review it every few years or after major life changes.
Events like a new medical diagnosis, marriage, divorce, or the loss of a spouse may shift your preferences. You might also simply change your mind about certain treatments.
When you update, your living will make sure to share the changes with your healthcare proxy, doctor, and family. This helps keep everyone informed and ensures that your current wishes are honored.
Discover How to Create a Living Will and Protect Your Wishes
Taking control of your future healthcare decisions starts with the right plan. By learning how to create a living will, you can make sure your care preferences are clearly documented and respected.
For over a decade, Rittenhouse Village At Portage has proudly served seniors in Portage, IN. Our caring team, led by Amanda Elkins, Director of Health & Wellness, can support you through the living will process while honoring your wishes. With personalized care, engaging activities, and wellness programs, we make every day feel like home.
Contact us today and let us help you plan with confidence.
