Important terms to know for living wills (Courtesy University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics)
Advance directive
An instruction, given in advance, that tells others what health care you want if you can't communicate because of illness or injury.
Living Will
A written legal document that speaks for you if you are unable to communicate and are terminally ill or are in a persistent vegetative state. This document can specify what kind of lifesaving and life-maintaining care or treatment you do or do not want to receive in case of terminal illness. If you have a living will, you should bring a copy of it with you whenever you are admitted to a hospital. A living will has nothing to do with the distribution of your property.
Special Medical Power of Attorney (also called Durable Medical Power of Attorney
This legal document lets you appoint someone to make medical decisions for you if you become unable to speak for yourself. If you have a Special Medical Power of Attorney, you should bring a copy of it with you whenever you are admitted to a hospital. This document gives legal power for medical decisions only, not property or financial matters.
Verbal Directions
If you have made decisions about your care and told your doctor and/or family about them, these too are considered Advance Directives, even though they aren't written. You have the right to accept or refuse medical care or treatment after discussing it with your physician.
Terminally Ill
A condition, caused by injury or disease, that will result in death no matter what life-sustaining procedures are used, and in which the use of life-sustaining procedures only would postpone death.
Persistent Vegetative State
A state of severe mental impairment in which only involuntary bodily functions are present.
Do-Not-Resuscitate Order (also called DNR)
A medical order that can be written by your physician, after discussions with you, your family, or proxy, that states you will not receive artificial breathing or chest compressions if you stop breathing or if your heart stops beating. DNR orders do not mean you will receive less treatment for pain or less attention to your comfort.
Organ Donation
You can decide in advance whether you wish to be an organ donor. If you want to donate organs in the event of your death, complete an organ donation card and carry it with you. For further information, call 1-800-83-DONOR.
Utah State Law
Utah law allows you to decide whether to accept or refuse medical treatment, even if that treatment might keep you alive. Should you become terminally ill, you may want to make a living will before you become unable to communicate your wishes. You may also appoint someone else to make medical decisions for you. This person is called a proxy. A proxy name is written on a document called a Special Medical Power of Attorney for Health Care. If you become unable to make decisions or communicate them, and there is no written direction, doctors will consult with your family members to make the necessary decisions.
If you need more information about living wills call University of Utah Customer Services at 581-2668.
Copies of the complete law are available free, at the University Hospital cashier window on the first floor.
Other Resources
- Utah Assoc. of Health Care Providers
Bruce Murray or Ron Bouck
(801) 364-1515
- Utah Nurses Assoc.
(801) 322-3439
- Utah Health Care Assoc.
(801) 272-4368
- Utah Medical Assoc.
Val Bateman
(801) 355-7477
- Utah Legal Services
(801) 328-8891
1-800-662-4245
- Utah Assoc. Of Home Health Agencies
(801) 277-7084
