Living Wills

A living will is a declaration by an individual that leaves instructions for the withdrawal of death-delaying procedures.  However, a living will cannot be used to terminate the administration of food or water if such deprivation, rather than an existing terminal condition, would be the cause of death.

 

This means that a living will does not apply to individuals who are in a persistent vegetative state unless death would be considered imminent.  Therefore, a power of attorney for health care can be used in addition to or instead of a living will to rectify this issue.