The Living will, also known as advance directives, is a legal document in which the person can record how they want to be cared for by their family members and assisted by health professionals, in case at any time their health condition prevents them from expressing it personally. Therefore, plan for the end of life.
From the age of 65, people worry about making a will for their assets. However, not as much importance is placed on leaving written instructions about how they want to live their final years. To do this, it is necessary to make a living will.
ORPEA defends the right of the elderly to decide how they want to live their lives. That is why they advise their residents on the steps they must take to prepare the living will or last will. In this way, they guarantee their well-being, respect and dignity.
The objective of the living will is that the person’s will is always fulfilled. To this end, this document designates a representative, even a substitute for that representative, who will be responsible for being the interlocutor when care decisions have to be made, ensuring compliance with the prior instructions set forth. This also makes it easier for health and social health professionals to make decisions, based on the preferences of the owner.
Information contained in the living will
Each autonomous community has its own legislation on the living will, therefore, it is advisable to obtain information from the Public Administration or the health center before writing it. But, in general, the document usually contains:
- Expression of wishes, preferences and personal values regarding care at the end of life or any other situation that produces loss of autonomy.
- Instructions on consent to medical treatments that you wish to receive.
- Names of the representative, and even a substitute for the representative.
- Will after death (organ donation, burial, cremation, etc.).
How to make a living will?
For the living will to be valid, it can be made before a notary, through a notarial act, or with witnesses. In the latter case, it will be necessary to do so before two witnesses of legal age. One of them must not be related or linked by property relationship.
In addition, this document must be registered in the Registry of Advance Directives of the health departments of the region. In this way, health professionals will have access and will be able to verify your healthcare wishes and desires.
If a living will has been made but it has not been registered, the ideal is for the person, family members or representatives to deliver the document to the health center where they are being treated so that it can be incorporated into their medical history.
In Spain, 280,000 people of legal age have officially registered their living will or advance directives, according to the latest data from the National Registry of Prior Instructions of the Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare, 30,000 more than last year. But are they enough? Don’t let others decide for you. Decide how you want to live your life.
