Living Wills Decide Who Will Make Decisions When You Can't
The average lifespan of an individual is around eighty years, but the chances of a person living to that age are slim. As people get older, they often develop physical or mental limitations which make it difficult for them to understand and care for their own needs.
At this point, the duty may shift from those who are able to care for themselves to those they have named in a document called a Living Will. Living Wills contain instructions on how decisions should be made when an individual can no longer make these decisions him or herself. This includes directives on who should make medical decisions when the individual becomes incapacitated.
In recent years, Living Wills have become very common. Approximately 90 percent of people between seventy and seventy-nine have Living Wills in place. In fact, it is estimated that nearly one hundred twenty four million Americans (1/2) have Living Wills in place. This suggests a need for more awareness of the importance and benefits of these documents.
Living Wills are commonly used by individuals who are fifty or older, but not by younger adults. It is probably because older adults are already more likely to be sick and require medical attention. Also, they may be less likely to adapt themselves to technological advances, such as tablets or laptops with internet access.
While there is no sure way to predict the likelihood of a person becoming incapacitated, it is possible to decrease that likelihood by making responsible decisions about health and lifestyle. Lifestyle changes can have an impact on the chances of an older adult developing severe or terminal illness.
A study demonstrated that individuals who had adopted a healthier lifestyle had a lower likelihood of developing severe illness than those who did not make these changes. Specifically, individuals who exercised more regularly and ate a healthier diet were less likely to develop severe disease than their peers.
In addition, it is important to consider the people in your life who could make your Living Will decisions if you become unable to do so yourself. If you have children, designating them as the Living Wills decision-makers helps to ensure that your wishes will be carried out.
In the same way that an individual's choices about their diet or lifestyle impact their chances of developing a specific illness, it is possible to make more responsible decisions about health and lifestyle in ways which will benefit this process.
While a Living Will acts as a guarantee that you have made choices regarding healthcare and may provide relief to your loved ones, it does not guarantee that these decisions will be followed. It is important for those with a Living Will to be sure they have documented their wishes clearly and understood what they mean. There is no perfect system for determining what a reasonable Living Will should look like.
Having a Living Will ensures that if you cannot make health and lifestyle decisions for yourself, there will be people who know what these decisions are. This increases the odds that your wishes will be followed.
About the Author: Adrienn Eberhardt is a freelance writer from New York City whose work has appeared on WomansDay.com, The Huffington Post, and many other outlets. You can find more of her work on Adrienn's website at http://www.livingwillsdecideinfo.com/blog/ .
Source: EzineArticles.com
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Title: USING SUGAR TO FIGHT CANCER - Mary's Patches - Mary's Journey With Cancer October 2009-February 2010 -- PROOF that Mary's Alternative Medicine Worked (updated March 2010) -- Now that the tumor is gone, I am going to try an alternative cancer treatment...Now that the tumor is gone, I am going to try an alternative cancer treatment...
INTRODUCTION
*NOTE* This website is about my journey with cancer. From October 2009 until February 29, 2010 when I was pronounced "cancer free". I had liver cancer with Stage 4 Pangenetic Cell Carcinoma and was diagnosed on November 10, 2009 at age 52. I was given approximately 5 weeks to live and the doctor said that it's best for me to start chemo ASAP. But of course I wasn't going to have chemo, since there's nothing that can be done for this type of cancer - it's already progressed too far. So I just needed to keep my strength up and try alternative treatments. Because I was facing a couple weeks of chemo anyways, why not try alternative treatments? Not every alternative treatment works for everyone...but why not try? I was willing to do anything at that point. I had nothing to lose!
*NOTE* If you want to read all about my journey, click here: www.caringbridge.org/visit/maryb09 (the first link on this page).
*NOTE* In the words of one of my doctors "the cancer has been present for years and locations in your body." But it's important to know that my liver tumor was discovered because of a scan I got on 11-10-09 for something else that turned out to be nothing, so the cancer was there but it just hadn't grown big enough yet for me to notice it.
*NOTE* I'm not promoting any type of alternative treatments and I am not a doctor or health professional. My only goal here is to let other people know what worked for me.
*PLEASE READ DISCLAIMER AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE*
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS I USED TO FIGHT CANCER:
Back In November, 2009...before I was diagnosed with cancer...I had been having severe pain in my right side (under the ribs) for a month or two, so my husband made an appointment with my family doctor on 11-10-09. After some tests I was told that I had 3 cysts in my liver and that it would be good to get them out asap. Well, there was no time to waste!! Surgery on 11-17-09 revealed a large tumor (size of an orange) in my liver.
*NOTE* From what I understand, the cancerous cells have been present for years and locations in your body. But they haven't grown big enough yet for you to notice it.
*NOTE* The cysts were removed but the tumor could not be taken out because it was too big - so instead of leaving me with 3 holes 2 inches wide, they just left one 5 inch hole.
Conclusion: It was determined that I needed to start chemo ASAP because the cancer was too advanced, and there is nothing that can be done for this type of cancer. But of course I wasn't going to have chemo, since there's nothing that can be done for this type of cancer - it's already progressed too far. So I just needed to keep my strength up and try alternative treatments. Because I was facing a couple weeks of chemo anyways, why not try alternative treatments? Not every alternative treatment works for everyone...but why not try? I was willing to do anything at that point.