Understanding an Advance Directive vs. Living Will

Planning for future health care decisions is essential, especially as we age. National Health Care Decisions Day on April 16 serves as an important reminder to ensure our medical wishes are clearly documented. Legal documents like advance directives and living wills help safeguard personal choices, ensuring they are respected even when we can no longer communicate. 

While these terms are often used interchangeably, they have distinct differences that are crucial to understand. We’re here to help.

What Is an Advance Directive?

An advance directive is a broad legal document that provides instructions for future medical care. It allows individuals to outline their treatment preferences and designate a trusted individual to make decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so. Key components of an advance directive include:

• Living Will – Specifies treatment preferences for end-of-life care
• Health Care Proxy or Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care – Appoints a health care agent to make medical decisions when the individual is incapacitated

Choosing a trusted person as a health care proxy is a critical step in advance care planning. This ensures that a reliable individual is available to advocate for medical care that aligns with personal wishes.

What Is a Living Will?

A living will is a specific component of an advance directive that focuses solely on end-of-life care preferences. It provides explicit instructions regarding life-sustaining treatments, such as:

• Use of Ventilators or Feeding Tubes – Indicates whether artificial life support should be administered or withheld
• Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Orders – Specifies whether resuscitation should be attempted in the event of cardiac or respiratory failure
• Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) or Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) – Outlines critical treatment preferences in medical emergencies

A living will only take effect if an individual is unable to communicate and has been diagnosed with a terminal illness or is permanently unconscious.

Key Differences Between an Advance Directive and a Living Will

While both documents play essential roles in health care planning, they serve distinct purposes.

Feature	Advance Directive	Living Will
Scope	Broad, covering various medical scenarios	Specific to end-of-life treatment
Components	Includes a living will and health care proxy	Focuses on treatment preferences
Decision-Making	Appoints a health care agent	Provides direct instructions
Activation	Applies when an individual is incapacitated	Applies only in terminal or unconscious states

A living will is often included within an advance directive, but an advance directive encompasses more than just end-of-life instructions.

The Importance of Both Documents in Estate Planning

Having both an advance directive and a living will ensure that personal treatment preferences are honored while also granting a trusted person the authority to make decisions. These documents provide peace of mind for  individuals and their families, alleviating uncertainty and reducing stress during difficult situations.

Without an advance directive, loved ones may face challenging decisions without clear guidance. This can lead to unnecessary conflicts and delays in medical care. 

For seniors who have not yet created an advance directive, it is essential for family members and caregivers to initiate this important conversation.

Steps To Create Advance Directives and Living Wills

To ensure that health care decisions align with personal values, consider the following steps:

• Consult With a Legal or Medical Professional – Seek guidance to understand state-specific requirements and ensure documents are legally valid.
• Discuss Wishes With Family Members and Chosen Proxies – Open communication helps prevent confusion and ensures everyone understands your preferences.
• Review and Update Documents Regularly – Changes in health or personal circumstances may necessitate updates. Ensure primary care doctors have the most recent versions.
• Store Documents in an Accessible Location – Copies should be easily retrievable and shared with designated health care agents and family members.

Plan for the Future With Notre Dame Health Care

Creating an advance directive is not an enjoyable task, but it is a necessary step for ensuring that health care preferences are honored. At Notre Dame Health Care, we help residents navigate this process with support and guidance tailored to individual needs.

Take the first step toward peace of mind by exploring the resources and expertise available at Notre Dame Health Care. Schedule a visit today to learn how our holistic approach to care prioritizes well-being in every aspect of life.