Living Will / Advance Directive / POLST

A living will, also known as an advance directive, provides guidance to your health care agent and medical providers about the type of care you want if you are unable to make or communicate those decisions yourself. It is often used to address end-of-life situations, including terminal or end-stage medical conditions where there is no reasonable hope of meaningful recovery.

A living will is generally separate from a health care power of attorney, although the two documents often work together. While a living will states your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment, a health care power of attorney gives your appointed agent the authority to make medical decisions on your behalf during a broader range of health care situations. For that reason, it is important to have both documents in place so your wishes are clear and your agent has the authority needed to act.

In addition, a POLST form, or Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, may be appropriate for individuals with serious or advanced illness. Unlike a living will, a POLST is a medical order completed with a health care provider and designed to help ensure your treatment preferences are followed across care settings. A POLST can address choices such as CPR, hospitalization, and other life-sustaining treatment decisions, and it should be reviewed regularly as your condition or preferences change.