What medical treatments can be included or excluded in a Texas Living Will?

In a Texas Living Will, also known as an “Advance Directive” or “Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates,” you can specify your preferences for medical treatments in the event that you become unable to communicate your wishes due to a terminal or irreversible condition. The living will typically allows you to include or exclude the following types of medical treatments:

1. Life-Sustaining Treatments: This includes treatments that would only prolong the dying process for patients with terminal conditions. You can specify whether you want treatments such as mechanical ventilation, dialysis, use of respirators, or other forms of artificial life support to be used or withheld.
2. Artificially Administered Nutrition and Hydration: You can decide whether you want to receive nutrients and fluids via feeding tubes or intravenously if you are unable to eat or drink by yourself.
3. Pain Management and Palliative Care: Even if you choose to forego life-sustaining treatments, you can request that measures be taken to keep you comfortable and manage pain through medications or palliative care.
4. Specific Medical Interventions: You might have preferences regarding specific medical procedures or interventions, such as blood transfusions, surgical procedures, or the use of certain medications, which can also be included in your living will.
5. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders: Although typically a separate document, a DNR order can be part of your advance directives, indicating that you do not want CPR or other resuscitative measures if your heart stops or if you stop breathing.

It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to understand the implications of including or excluding certain treatments in your living will. Additionally, consulting with a legal professional, such as the Law Office of Dana Baker, can ensure that your living will is properly drafted and meets all legal requirements in Texas. The firm can be contacted at 979-310-5507 for more information or to schedule a consultation.