Some states use the terms “attorney in fact,” “surrogate,” “designee,” and “representative” instead of “agent.” They
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are synonymous for purposes of these suggestions.
SUGGESTIONS
FOR PREPARING WILL TO LIVE
DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY
(Please read the document itself before reading this.
It will help you better understand the suggestions.)
YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO FILL OUT ANY PART OF THIS "WILL TO LIVE" OR
ANY OTHER DOCUMENT SUCH AS A LIVING WILL OR DURABLE POWER OF
ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE. NO ONE MAY FORCE YOU TO SIGN THIS
DOCUMENT OR ANY OTHER OF ITS KIND.
The Will to Live form starts from the principle that the presumption should be for life. If
you sign it without writing any "SPECIAL CONDITIONS," you are giving directions to your
health care provider(s) and health care agent to do their best to preserve your life.
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Some people may wish to continue certain types of medical treatment when they are
terminally ill and in the final stages of life. Others may not.
If you wish to refuse some specific medical treatment, the Will to Live form provides
space to do so ("SPECIAL CONDITIONS"). You may make special conditions for your
treatment when your death is imminent, meaning you will live no more than a week even if given
all available medical treatment; or when you are incurably terminally ill, meaning you will live
no more than three months even if given all available medical treatment. There is also space for
you to write down special conditions for circumstances you describe yourself.
The important thing for you to remember if you choose to fill out any part of the
"SPECIAL CONDITIONS" sections of the Will to Live is that you must be very specific in
listing what treatments you do not want. Some examples of how to be specific will be given
shortly, or you may ask your physician what types of treatment might be expected in your
specific case.
Why is it important to be specific? Because, given the pro-euthanasia views widespread
in society and particularly among many (not all) health care providers,