Why You Need an Advance Directive / Living Will

An Advance Directive, or Living Will, is an important document to have at any stage in your life. It is a legal document that is drafted to express your wishes for end-of-life care when you are unable to make those decisions yourself. Without an Advance Directive in place, some of the hardest and most important decisions of your life can be left entirely in the hands of medical professionals and your family. Not only do you risk having a decision made that you might not support; family members may be forced to make up your mind for you, often leaving them feeling unsure that they’ve made the right choice. Some of the items that are addressed in an Advance Directive are:

· Whether to accept or deny certain medical treatments

· Pain Control

· Resuscitation wishes

· Wishes for organ donation

· Appointing a agent to make decisions on your behalf

An Advance Directive is legal in every state in the U.S. and most hospitals will allow you to keep a copy of your Advance Directive on file with them. Every hospital is different, so please inquire with the particular hospital that you will be treated at. Having an Advance Directive on file can help ease your concern and fear about what will happen to you once you have entered a hospital for treatment or end-of-life care.

If you would like more information on developing an Advance Directive of your own, please visit the Living Wills section of this website. Up-to-date information about advance directives listed by state, along with the forms you need to complete an Advance Directive can be obtained from the following organizations:

Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE)
American Association of Retired Persons
P.O. Box 96474
Washington, DC 20090-6474


Choice In Dying, Inc
200 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014-4810
Telephone: 1-800-989-WILL