A living will instructs those providing your heath care of the manner in which you wish to be cared for if you should become permanently incapacitated. Another part of such a document, or a separate document, is the appointment of someone to make medical decisions on your behalf when you are unable to do so.
Although we usually think of this document as one needed in the event of terminal illness, it can also be used to appoint someone to authorize medical action if you are in an accident or other emergency situation. This is especially important if you do not have a spouse, children or a parent who would have such right by law.
For further information about living wills, their use and value, see the
American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging Consumer's Tool Kit
at: http://www.abanet.org/aging/toolkit/home.html
