A living will is basically a legal document you have drawn up when you are of sound mind and body that advises your family and health care providers what you want to be done should you become incapacitated and are unable to agree to or refuse certain medical treatments. It is also known as an advance directive which does not only cover health care but also covers power of attorney. In Ontario, a living will is known as a "power of attorney for personal care."

Everyone over 18 should have a living will. Terrible things can happen to you at any age; it is not just in old age that people can become incapacitated. If you have a fear of living as a vegetable after a catastrophic injury or illness, or even if you want to live in a vegetative state you can stress that in your living will. The Terri Schiavo fiasco would never have happened had she had a living will.We would have known exactly what she would have wanted and not have had to rely on the testimony of others.

A living will can be changed at any time by the patient while they are still capable of making and voicing decisions. It helps to choose one person to be your "agent" who will stand up to assure that everything in your living will is followed correctly. Living wills are becoming more popular every year and it is estimated that over 41% of all Americans had a living will in 2007.

The types of treatments listed on a living will include things such as "I do/do not want cardiac resuscitation", "I do/do not want mechanical respiration", "I do/do not want a feeding tube", and "I do/do not want blood or blood products." What you put in a living will is totally up to you. The will also directs your doctor to withhold or withdraw life-saving treatment that will only prolong the dying process. You then name who you wish to be your agent or surrogate, and a substitute agent. The will is signed by the owner of the will and is usually witnessed by two others.

In order for people to know you have a living will if you are brought into a hospital after an accident, it is recommended that you carry a card with an abbreviated version of your living will. Much like organ donors carry a card that lets medical facilities know. You should also give copies of your living will to friends and family so that they are aware of it.

In a living will you should specifically spell out which types of treatments and care you wish and should also spell out which types of treatments and care you do not want. Having a living will takes the pressure off your loved ones; they do not have to make the tough decisions and possible live with guilt for the rest of their lives if they don't know if they did was what the person would have wanted. Having a living will is the ultimate in taking your personal freedom in hand and also taking responsibility for your own life.