[huck von finn]

Living wills are vastly overrated as a means of determining what treatment options to pursue for many patients. The standard terminology used in them is "no extraordinary means." Let me tell you from personal experience that in many cases involving severe illness, determining exactly what constitutes "extraordinary means" can be excrutiatingly difficult.

My mother's was very specific, and it worked very well. It wasn't what you portray at all.

[independentmind]

My mother's was very specific, and it worked very well. It wasn't what you portray at all.

I would have to know far more about the particular circumstances of your mother's death to address your comment properly.

My assertion still stands. In many cases, a living will is virtually useless in determining the proper course of medical treatment. The reason for that is that most living wills cannot possibly anticipate all of the specifics involved in a particular case. A DNR request (do not resuscitate)--is the perfect example. My understanding is that most living wills avoid stipulating specifics for that very reason.