Create a Living Will - iPad & Web

The Importance of Advance Care Planning

Last year, my sister and I were faced with the incredibly challenging task of deciding to remove our mother from life support. The process was somewhat eased by prior conversations we’d had with her regarding such possibilities over a year before her death.

Her physician also provided valuable guidance during this difficult time. However, there were specific care preferences we hadn't discussed.

What is a Living Will?

A living will would have proven beneficial in outlining these unaddressed choices. Fortunately, resources like the iLivingWill iPad app, and other comparable online platforms, now facilitate the creation of legally sound living wills.

Creating a living will is a proactive step that can be taken at any stage of life, regardless of current health status. This applies not only to individuals but also to ensuring the preparedness of loved ones.

Why Create a Living Will Early?

While many postpone these considerations until confronted with a terminal illness, waiting could prove detrimental. By then, the opportunity for informed decision-making may be lost.

A living will empowers you, or a designated healthcare proxy, to articulate precise preferences regarding medical treatment, comfort measures, organ donation, and post-mortem arrangements.

Flexibility and Control

It’s worth noting that a living will remains valid indefinitely, unless intentionally revoked. You retain the ability to modify your living will at any time, provided you possess the mental capacity to do so.

This allows for ongoing adjustments to reflect evolving values and wishes throughout your life.

Detailed Medical Decisions: Specifies preferences for various treatments.
Comfort Care Options: Outlines desires regarding pain management and palliative care.
Donor Status: Clearly indicates organ donation wishes.
After-Death Wishes: Details preferences for funeral arrangements and other final requests.

iLivingWill

The iLivingWill application, priced at $0.99, represents the initial resource I’ve encountered concerning the creation of a living will. It appears to establish a benchmark for the comprehensive nature a living will should ideally possess.

App Design and Usability

iLivingWill is an iPad application characterized by its elegant design and straightforward navigation. It provides users with a guided, step-by-step process and essential resources for drafting a living will.

The app’s interface facilitates ease of use, making the often complex process of creating a living will more accessible.

Comprehensive Coverage

iLivingWill addresses the legalities surrounding living wills. It also provides guidance on securely recording, protecting, and sharing your document.

Furthermore, the application encompasses a wide range of crucial decisions you may need to consider. These include responses related to medical interventions such as CPR, electroshock therapy, intubation, medication administration, artificial nutrition, spiritual support, and organ donor status.

Considerations for Completion

Completing your living will is a process that likely requires multiple sessions. Allow ample time for thoughtful consideration.

It is highly recommended to discuss your wishes with family members and, when appropriate, consult with your physician throughout the process.

This collaborative approach ensures your preferences are clearly understood and accurately reflected in the document.

Additional Capabilities of iLivingWill

iLivingWill incorporates several supplementary features that justify its reasonable cost. It provides access to a variety of online resources pertaining to living wills and end-of-life matters. These range from a Wikipedia overview of the history of living wills to information on eco-friendly burial options and state-specific details regarding POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment).

All these resources are conveniently accessible directly within the application.

Document Preview and Customization

A preview of your living will is available throughout the creation process. The application also allows for adjustments to the text size, enhancing readability. A text-to-audio feature is included, though it was unfortunately non-functional during testing on an iPad.

Navigation between different sections of the form is achieved through simple left-to-right swiping gestures on the screen. Progress is visually tracked as each completed section is marked off.

Finalization and Sharing

Upon completion, the document can be digitally signed directly within the app. Furthermore, the finished living will can be easily emailed or printed using AirPrint functionality.

The application supports multiple users, with each individual’s living will secured by a unique passcode.

Key Features Summary

Access to external resources on living wills and related topics.
Adjustable font size for improved readability.
Integrated text-to-audio player (functionality may vary).
Intuitive swipe-based navigation.
Digital signature capability.
Direct email and AirPrint options.
Individual passcode protection for each document.

Digital Tools for Advance Care Planning

Individuals without access to an iPad can utilize a variety of complimentary online platforms offering comparable functionality. Legacy Writer, for instance, furnishes a detailed, guided procedure for the development of a personalized living will, available for both download and electronic transmission at no cost.

An additional Power of Attorney document, designed to manage your will, can be incorporated for a nominal charge. The platform also clarifies the distinctions between a living will and a last will and testament – the latter governing the distribution of your assets following your passing.

State-Specific Guidance

For directives pertaining to living wills on a state-by-state basis, US Legal Forms serves as a valuable resource. It provides self-help legal solutions, ensuring all documents adhere to current state legislation.

Thorough investigation into the appropriate living will form and other relevant legal considerations is strongly advised to align with your unique circumstances. However, it is crucial not to postpone the completion of a living will.

These documents can significantly aid your family and medical professionals in understanding your preferences regarding medical treatment and post-mortem arrangements, particularly in situations involving terminal illness or unforeseen death.

We welcome your feedback on iLivingWill and comparable online services. Further resources concerning end-of-life planning can be found in a previous article: 4 Online Resources To Prepare For Your Death & Digital Afterlife.