Living Will Vs DNR

Making the decision between a living will and DNR can be difficult. Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages, and it can be tough to decide which is right for you.

In this personal finance guide, we will compare both options and look into the pros and cons of each. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of what these two choices entail and will be able to make a more informed decision about which one is right for you!

What is a Living Will?

A living will is a document that specifies what kind of medical treatment you would or would not want to receive if you were unable to communicate your wishes yourself. It can cover both life-sustaining measures (such as artificial ventilation or resuscitation) and end-of-life care (such as pain relief or palliative sedation).

What is a Do Not Resuscitate Order?

A Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR) is a legal document that states your wishes regarding medical treatment if you are unable to communicate them yourself. It can be used to refuse life-saving or life-prolonging treatments, such as CPR or artificial ventilation. A DNR does not hasten death – it simply allows you to die naturally, without medical intervention.

What is The Difference Between a Living Will and a Do Not Resuscitate Order?

The main difference between a living will and a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is that a living will is a document that states your wishes regarding medical treatment if you are unable to communicate them yourself, whereas a DNR order is a medical order that instructs emergency medical personnel not to resuscitate you if your heart stops beating or if you stop breathing.

What Are The Different Types of Living Will?

Ordinary Living Will

An ‘ordinary’ living will sets out your wishes regarding specific medical treatments, such as whether you would want to be resuscitated if your heart stopped beating.

DPOA-HC

A ‘durable’ power of attorney for healthcare (DPOA-HC) gives someone else the legal authority to make decisions about your medical care if you are unable to do so yourself. This can include decisions about life-sustaining treatments.

What Are The Different Types of Do Not Resuscitate Order?

The most common Do Not Resuscitate order is the DNR-CC (Do Not Resuscitate- Comfort Care)

The most common type of Do Not Resuscitate order is the DNR-CC (Do Not Resuscitate- Comfort Care) order. This type of order allows medical professionals to provide comfort care measures, such as pain relief, to the patient while they are dying but withholds resuscitation measures, such as CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

The main advantage of a DNR-CC order is that it allows the patient to die with dignity, without the potentially painful and traumatic experience of CPR. The main disadvantage is that it does not give the patient the opportunity to receive life-saving treatment if their condition changes and they are able to be resuscitated.

Do Not Resuscitate order is the DNR-AR (Do Not Resuscitate- Allow Natural Death)

Another type of Do Not Resuscitate order is the DNR-AR (Do Not Resuscitate- Allow Natural Death) order. This type of order allows medical professionals to provide comfort care measures and withhold resuscitation measures but also permits the patient to receive life-saving treatment if their condition changes and they are able to be resuscitated.

The main advantage of a DNR-AR order is that it gives the patient the opportunity to receive life-saving treatment if their condition changes. The main disadvantage is that it does not guarantee that the patient will die with dignity, as they may still experience the potentially painful and traumatic experience of CPR.

Do Not Resuscitate order is the DNR-PR (Do Not Resuscitate- Pain Relief Only)

The third type of Do Not Resuscitate order is the DNR-PR (Do Not Resuscitate- Pain Relief Only) order. This type of order allows medical professionals to provide comfort care measures, such as pain relief, to the patient while they are dying but withholds resuscitation measures, such as CPR.

The main advantage of a DNR-PR order is that it allows the patient to receive pain relief while they are dying. The main disadvantage is that it does not give the patient the opportunity to receive life-saving treatment if their condition changes and they are able to be resuscitated.

What Are The Advantages of a Living Will?

There are several advantages to having a living will. First, if you are ever in a position where you can't make decisions for yourself, your living will ensures that your wishes are carried out.

Second, a living will can help to avoid any disagreements between family members about what medical treatment you should or shouldn't receive.

Third, having a living will can give you peace of mind, knowing that your end-of-life decisions are already made.

What Are The Advantages of a Do Not Resuscitate Order?

There are a number of advantages to having a Do Not Resuscitate order in place.

Firstly, it provides clarity for medical staff in the event that you are unable to communicate your wishes yourself.

Secondly, it can help to reduce anxiety and stress for both you and your loved ones, knowing that your end-of-life wishes are clearly spelled out.

Finally, a DNR can help to ensure that you receive the care and treatment you desire and that your death is not hastened by unwanted medical intervention.

What Are The Disadvantages of Living Will?

There are a couple of disadvantages to having a living will. The first one is that it can be very difficult to predict what kind of medical treatment you may need in the future.

If you have a specific health condition, it may be hard to know exactly what type of care you will need. For example, if you have cancer, you may need different types of treatment than someone who doesn’t have cancer.

Another disadvantage of living will is that it can be hard to change your mind once you have made a decision about your medical care. If you decide to receive a certain type of treatment, it may be hard to change your mind later on.

Finally, living will can be expensive. If you have a lot of assets, you may need to pay for the cost of your living will.

What Are The Disadvantages of Do Not Resuscitate Order?

There are a few disadvantages of having a DNR order in place. One is that if you have a sudden change of heart, or your health condition improves, the DNR order cannot be reversed. Once it’s in place, it’s permanent.

Another disadvantage is that if you are not specific about what kind of medical interventions you do or don’t want, it may be interpreted too narrowly by medical staff and you may not receive the kind of care you wanted.

Another potential disadvantage of a DNR is that it might be used as a way to ration health care resources in a crisis situation, such as during a pandemic. If there are not enough ventilators or ICU beds to go around, people with DNR orders might be less likely to receive life-saving treatment.

Of course, the biggest disadvantage of a DNR is that it means you will not receive CPR if your heart stops beating or you stop breathing. For some people, this is simply not an acceptable risk.

So, Which One Should You Use?

The truth is, there's no easy answer. It really depends on your personal circumstances and what you're comfortable with. If you're healthy and have a clear understanding of your wishes, then a living will may be the best option. However, if you're sick or elderly and don't have a clear idea of what you want, then a DNR may be the better choice.

The most important thing is that you take the time to think about your options and make a decision that's right for you. Whichever option you choose, make sure you discuss it with your family and doctor so that they're aware of your wishes.

What Are Some Alternatives to Using a Living Will or a DNR?

There are a few alternatives to using a living will or DNR. One is to appoint a health care proxy, also called a durable power of attorney for health care. This person would be authorized to make decisions about your medical care if you were unable to do so yourself.

Another option is to create an advance directive, which is a document that spells out your medical treatment preferences in the event that you are unable to communicate them yourself. This can include things like whether or not you want to be on life support, what kind of pain management you prefer, and any other medical treatments you may or may not want.

You can also choose to do nothing and have your family make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This can be a good option if you trust your family to make the best choices for you, but it can also lead to conflict if family members disagree about what you would want.

Ultimately, the best option is the one that makes you feel most comfortable and that you are confident will allow your wishes to be carried out.

What Are Some Tips For Using a Living Will?

Some tips for using a living will are to ensure that you have discussed your wishes with your family and close friends, as well as your doctor. You should also make sure that your living will is easily accessible in the event that you are unable to communicate your wishes yourself. Additionally, it is important to review your living will periodically to ensure that it still reflects your wishes.

What Are Some Tips For Using a Do Not Resuscitate Order?

If you have decided that yoau do not want to be resuscitated in the event of a medical emergency, there are some steps you can take to ensure that your wishes are followed.

First and foremost, it is important to make your wishes known to your family and close friends. They should be aware of your decision in case of an emergency and be able to advocate for your wishes with medical personnel.

It is also a good idea to put your wishes in writing, either by drafting a living will or by signing a do not resuscitate order (DNR).