Archer Law
Our New Jersey estate lawyers encourage clients to consider living wills as part of their overall estate planning. A living will specifies your wishes regarding your care at the very end stages of your life. It is good to spend some time researching options. Consider looking into the following before meeting with your New Jersey estate lawyer to create your living will.
As death approaches, it is common to lose your appetite. The body begins to shut down and fluids and food are not needed as they were before. Doctors may suggest that a feeding tube be used to supply nutrition if you become incapable of feeding yourself. Many experts believe that at the end of life, a feeding tube might cause more discomfort than not eating, and for people with dementia, tube feeding does not prolong life or prevent issues associated with aspiration. In addition, after a feeding tube is inserted, the family might need to make a difficult decision about when, or if, to remove it.
A respirator, also called a ventilator, is a machine to help someone breathe by pushing air into the lungs to keep oxygen flowing throughout the body. Respirators are used to treat temporary conditions such as pneumonia but might also be used in cases of lung failure.
While CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a potentially life-saving procedure, it can also be invasive and traumatic. CPR can require chest compressions, attempted defibrillation, injection of drugs and ventilation of the lungs, and is often followed by prolonged treatment in an intensive care unit. Depending on the physical condition of the person receiving CPR, there is the risk of broken bones and internal injuries arising from the procedure itself, as well as the risk that the person may be left with brain damage and resulting disability, especially if CPR is delayed.
It is not uncommon for people who have advanced illnesses to develop acute surgical emergencies. It is important to understand under what situations these types of emergencies could arise and to make your wishes known regarding whether and to what extent you would wish aggressive surgical intervention.
Along with deciding what treatments to refuse, you also should consider what type of palliative care you might want. Before you meet with your New Jersey estate lawyer to write your living will it is a good idea to learn about different methods of palliative care so you can specify what you might want. You can specify whether you would want pain medications and other things related to your comfort, including certain music playing, particular people, pets or possessions nearby, or the presence of a religious or spiritual advisor.
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