LIVING WILL Meaning and
Definition
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A living will, often referred to as an advance directive, is a legal document that outlines an individual's preferences and instructions regarding medical treatment decisions if they become incapable of expressing their desires due to illness or injury. It serves as a guide for healthcare professionals and relieves family members of the burden of making difficult decisions during emotionally challenging times.
The primary purpose of a living will is to ensure that an individual's healthcare wishes are respected and followed, especially when they are unable to communicate or make decisions for themselves. It typically covers medical procedures such as resuscitation, life-sustaining treatments (e.g., ventilators), tube feeding, and organ donation. Additionally, a living will may include instructions on pain management, palliative care, and the appointment of a healthcare proxy or durable power of attorney to make medical decisions on the individual's behalf.
Living wills play a vital role in promoting patient autonomy and granting individuals the right to have their medical preferences respected, even if they cannot directly express them. It provides comfort and assurance to both the individual and their loved ones, as it removes the burden of making difficult choices during emotionally distressing situations. Medical professionals are legally required to abide by the provisions outlined in a living will, ensuring that the individual's wishes are honored and respected to the fullest extent possible.
Common Misspellings for LIVING WILL
- kiving will
- piving will
- oiving will
- luving will
- ljving will
- lkving will
- loving will
- l9ving will
- l8ving will
- licing will
- libing will
- liging will
- lifing will
- livung will
- livjng will
- livkng will
- livong will
- liv9ng will
- liv8ng will
Etymology of LIVING WILL
The word "living will" is derived from two separate origins.
1. "Living" comes from the Old English word "lifian", which means "to be alive". It has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "libēną", which also means "to be alive".
2. "Will" is an Old English term that originated from the noun "willan", meaning "to want or desire". It has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "wiljaną" and the Gothic word "wiljan".
The term "living will" combines these two components to describe a legal document that specifies an individual's desires regarding medical treatment or end-of-life care while they are still alive, but unable to communicate or make decisions. Although the etymology of the individual words is straightforward, the combination creates a specific meaning for this legal document.
Similar spelling words for LIVING WILL
- living rock,
- living,
- living granite,
- living stone,
- living space,
- living room,
- living death,
- lovingly,
- living thing,
- living trust,
- living wage.
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