Living Will

A type of advance directive that states the desire to die a "natural" death and not be kept alive by extraordinary or disproportionate medical interventions. Living wills become effective on the determination of terminal illness or imminent death, when the patient can no longer participate in decision making. Many state statutes recognize that artificially administered nutrition and hydration may be discontinued in the case of persistent vegetative state (PVS), usually requiring independent diagnosis by two physicians. A "living will" is to be distinguished from a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare.

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