Through the Living Will, you as a competent adult, declare instructions in writing to physicians to withhold or withdraw death-delaying procedures. The Living Will is only activated when a person is terminally ill. Terminally ill is defined as an incurable and irreversible condition in which death is imminent. A valid Living Will can allow for termination of certain death-delaying procedures including a respirator, dialysis or blood transfusions. It allows for comfort care like medication, sustenance and medical procedures that provide comfort.

It does not allow for termination of nutrition and hydration if the person would die solely from dehydration or starvation, rather than from the terminal condition. The Living Will requires two witnesses who are not heirs.

Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers does not provide Living Will forms, due to the fact that the Power of Attorney for Health Care supercedes the Living Will. However, when provided a Living Will by patients and/or others, they will be honored. If the Living Will was executed prior to January 1, 1984, the date that the Living Will Act went into effect, there may be a question of validity and the Power of Attorney for Health Care should be executed, if possible. We do encourage patients and families to execute a Power of Attorney for Health Care in order that they may name an agent or successor agents that will ensure that their End of Life Wishes will be fulfilled.