Ethics & Patient Rights: Living Will
Rhode Island Instructions for Living Will
Related link:
- Sample RI form
NOTE: This information is provided to make you
generally aware of Rhode Island law about living wills and is not intended
as legal advice for your particular situation. For legal advice about
living wills or your health care rights, you should consult with an
attorney. |
A living will is a written document which directs your
physician to withhold or stop life-sustaining medical procedures if you
develop a terminal condition and can't state your wishes at the time a
decision about those kinds of procedures must be made.
Rhode Island law suggests a form of living will but does
not require its exclusive use. If you decide to sign a living will, you
may use the form supplied with these instructions or make your own living
will form.
If you use this form, please read and follow these instructions
carefully.
-
Print your name in the first line of the form.
-
Place a check mark in the third paragraph to indicate
whether you want artificially-administered nutrition and hydration
(food and water) to be stopped or withheld like any other
life-sustaining treatment. Remember, if you do not want artificial
nutrition and hydration, your living will must say so.
-
Complete the day, month and year that you sign at the
bottom of the form.
-
Sign your name on the signature line (or if you are
unable to do so, have someone do it for you) before two (2) witnesses
who know you and are at least 18 years old.
-
Print your address on the address line.
-
Have the two (2) witnesses sign their names and print
their addresses where indicated below your signature. The witnesses
may not be related to you by blood or marriage.
-
Give a signed copy of your living will to your
physician for your medical records.
Remember, you may revoke your living will at any time
simply by telling your physician not to follow it.
Online resource:
Back
| About living wills
|
