Living Will

[scc11]

I am going to be doing my living will in the next month or so. One of the questions asks
Conditions for Life Support
Under which situations do you want life support discontinued?
(Check all that apply.)

If I have an incurable and irreversible condition and cannot survive without artificial life support.
If I am in a permanent coma.
If I am in a persistent vegetative state.

Which one(s) apply in regard to the teachings of the church? Wouldnt all of these be considered extraordinary means?

 

[adrift]

The provisions I would be most concerned with is that under no circumstance would food and water be denied.

 

[scc11]

Yes I intend to note that in there that I continue to receive food and water regardless.

The provisions I would be most concerned with is that under no circumstance would food and water be denied.

 

[edwest2]

I am going to be doing my living will in the next month or so. One of the questions asks
Conditions for Life Support
Under which situations do you want life support discontinued?
(Check all that apply.)

If I have an incurable and irreversible condition and cannot survive without artificial life support.
If I am in a permanent coma.
If I am in a persistent vegetative state.

Which one(s) apply in regard to the teachings of the church? Wouldnt all of these be considered extraordinary means?

Here is some guidance from the National Catholic Bioethics Center:

ncbcenter.org/page.aspx?pid=347

Peace,
Ed

 

[katy]

I would go with a Health Care Power of Attorney as it is impossible to know the situations that might come up or whether a given treatment would be helpful or not. Also new treatments come up all the time. Then you can give the guidelines from the NCBC to your person with the POA.

 

[adrift]

Yes I intend to note that in there that I continue to receive food and water regardless.

My mother signed a living will and was shocked when she found out that it meant depriving her of food and water.