Living Wills

Dianne Derby
WSAV News 3
February 9, 2006

Death and dying-it's something that many people avoid talking about. But refusing to talk about it and make your end of life decisions can cause you--and your family--more grief and money than you may know.

According to the U.S. Living Will Registry 75% of Americans want to prepare an advance directive but only 30% have actually done it. The U.S. Living Will registry defines a living will as a legal document in which you state the kind of health care you want or don't want under certain circumstances.

And as News 3's Dianne Derby found out for one widow in Savannah--not having a living will made her choose between prolonging her husband's life or ending it against his wishes. "People in South Carolina really loved Otto Reynolds," said widow Eunice Newcomer.

Newcomer said her late husband's passion for people is what made him such a likable guy. But a few years after they met and married Otto began a battle with cancer--a battle he wouldn't win. "The doctors did tell my husband that he was in the throws the beginning of his death," said Newcomer.

Newcomer said they had talked about him making a living will but Otto just wouldn't do it. "When you put it down in writing and sign it it's a very final thing for some people," said Newcomer.

But that forced Eunice into a horrible position. "The hardest thing I've ever done in my life was when I had to make this decision to end someone's life," said Newcomer.

Just two days after going into the hospital Otto was gone. "I know dying has got to be a process that no one really wants to go through but it's just not fair for the survivors to have to make this decision," said Newcomer.

St. Joseph's Candler Chaplain the Rev. Don Marlar often sees the struggles many families face when a loved one does not have a living will. Before the Terri Schiavo case got national attention he says he only helped 100 people with their living wills. But he says in the last year more than 1000 people have created one.

"Having these discussions as families is very important," said Marlar. "These documents give you the opportunity and the occasion to have this kind of discussion among family members."

Marlar recalled a time when a woman he worked with decided to take her brother off life support. "She was able to say the most loving thing to do is to not put him through this any longer," said Marlar.

It's the same choice Eunice was forced to make when her husband was ill. Now she urges everyone to keep their family members from a similar situation. "People really need to take care of this themselves because it's sad to have to make that decision," said Newcomer.

Many attorneys say more important than a living will is having another advance directive--a durable health care power of attorney. "It gives somebody in family the authority to discuss things with the doctor and have control over the medical decisions that are made," said attorney Russ Simpson.

Simpson said a durable health care power of attorney is an important addition to a living will because a living will only dictates whether or not you want life support.

Attorneys say it's important to keep a copy of advance directives forms for yourself and give one to your family and your health care provider. Attorneys also advise to not put advance directives in a safety deposit box because the people who need to access them might not be able to do so in a time of need.

(Note that you can create your Will, Power of Attorney and Living Will online at http://www.PartingWishes.com, http://www.USLegalWills.com and http://www.LegalWills.ca).

For More Information Contact:

PartingWishes.com
Email: support@partingwishes.com
Internet: http://www.partingwishes.com