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Do I require both a Living Will and a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?

A Living Will, also known as an Advance Decision, lets you decline specific medical treatments if you're unable to decide later.

In contrast, a Health, and Welfare LPA grants attorneys the authority to make care, personal, and medical decisions on your behalf.

Living Will specifies your wish to refuse certain future medical treatments when lacking mental capacity. Examples include surgery, blood transfusions, and resuscitation. Basic care, comfort measures, and oral food and drink cannot be refused. Unlawful requests, like euthanasia, are not allowed.

LPA appoints someone to make decisions for you if you lose capacity. Health and wellbeing LPA covers living arrangements, social activities, daily routines, diet, and medical care choices.

Having both a Living Will and LPA is acceptable, but understanding their powers and priorities is crucial. A Living Will expresses your preferences, while an LPA lets your appointed attorney make decisions, considering your communicated wishes. Ensure no conflicting requests when having both documents; the most recently signed one takes priority.

To create a Living Will, consult your doctor and discuss your considerations. Communicate plans with loved ones to avoid future challenges to decisions made on your behalf.