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Living Will or Health Care Instructions - Connecticut
A Connecticut Living Will - sometimes confused with an Advance Directive - is a crucial part of a patient's medical records, which all too often do not indicate the appropriate palliative care measures the patient desires. Most people do not have adequate paperwork when illness strikes. In the absence of a legal will, all decisions about medical care become the responsibility of the spouse, the children, and other family members - or even a third party. These people may not be aware of the patient's wishes, or they may not choose to follow the patient's unwritten verbal directives.
In most states, a person can extend their will to cover dangerous situations - like severe injuries or situations when the doctors expect the patient to remain unconscious for the rest of their life even if terminal illness or a life-threatening injury is not currently present.
A Connecticut Living Will is defined and regulated by Chapter 368w - Removal of Life Support Systems . The document must be signed and dated by the individual with at least two (2) witnesses. Not valid if pregnant. Click on the link below to download a premade form released by Connecticut State authorities.
What Is a Connecticut Living Will?
A Living Will is a legal document that specifies the type of medical care that an individual does or does not want in the event if they are unable to communicate their wishes. Living Wills come into play only when one faces a life-threatening condition and is unable to assert their specific desires regarding treatment.
In the case when an individual suffering from a terminal illness or with a life-threatening injury falls unconscious, hospitals and doctors must refer to their will to determine whether or not the patient wanted life-sustaining treatment, such as tube feeding or assisted breathing.
An individual can print a will to pre-organize their health care in the future situation, to prevent major arguments between family members, to control any necessary medical treatments and procedures and to reduce potential extra medical bills.
How to Make a Living Will in Connecticut?
A basic Living Will template can be completed without a lawyer or an attorney. Generally, all Living Wills in Connecticut include the following sections:
- A designation of health care proxy - a third party tasked with making any and all healthcare-related decisions on the patient's behalf.
- General provisions - the general wishes concerning healthcare, custody and medical treatment.
- Life-sustaining medical treatment - provisions regarding life-support, tube feeding, surgeries, antibiotics or medication.
- Comfort and pain relief - the patient may choose any treatment even if it results in hastening the death or a temporary addiction.
- The agent's obligations - the agent must take the patient's personal values to the extent known to them into consideration.
- End of life decisions - including the provisions regarding the withholding or withdrawal of treatment.
- The patient's statement and signature - the patient must certify that they are fully aware and completely understand the contents of the document.
Download Living Will or Health Care Instructions - Connecticut
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