Living Will & Advanced Directive Workshop | 4/20

Thursday, April 20
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Thompson Library

Rev. Jonathan Scott, Chaplain at Day Kimball Hospital, and Roger Franklin, Friends of Hospice Committee Chair at Day Kimball Hospital will host this workshop to help people to create a living will/advanced directive. No registration required, just drop by to learn more.

What is a living will?
A living will is a document that states your wishes regarding any kind of health care you may receive. Should you be in a terminal condition or permanently unconscious, the living will can also tell your physician whether you want "life support systems" to keep you alive or whether you do not want to receive such treatment, even if the result is your death. A living will goes into effect only when you are unable to make or communicate your decisions about your medical care. 

What does terminal condition and permanently unconscious mean?

A patient is in a "terminal condition" when the physician finds that the patient has a condition which is (1) incurable or irreversible and (2) will result in death within a relatively short time if life support systems are not provided. "Permanently unconscious" means a permanent coma or persistent vegetative state where the patient is not aware of himself or his surroundings and is unresponsive.

What is an advance directive?
An advance directive is a legal document through which you may provide your directions or express your preferences concerning your medical care and/or to appoint someone to act on your behalf. Physicians and others use them when you are unable to make or communicate your decisions about your medical treatment. 

Advance directives are prepared before any condition or circumstance occurs that causes you to be unable to actively make a decision about your medical care. 
In Connecticut, there are two types of advance directives:

• The living will or health care instructions
• The appointment of a health care representative

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