What is the difference between a DNR and a Living Will?

What is the difference between a DNR and a Living Will?
A DNR and a Living Will are advance care planning documents that ensure your wishes are respected during a medical emergency.  Although they serve different purposes, both a DNR and a Living Will help avoid any confusion regarding your intentions and beliefs, prevent disagreements between family members, and limit the emotional burdens on the people you care about most.

DNR
A DNR or "do not resuscitate" order is prepared by a physician or an authorized practitioner.  It directs health care providers not to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heart stops beating or if you stop breathing.  CPR may involve mouth-to-mouth breathing, chest compressions, electric shock, and breathing tubes.  A DNR does not affect regular medical care such as medications, pain management, antibiotics, oxygen, food, or fluids.  You may be asked to complete a DNR as part of pre-operative planning before a surgery or a procedure that requires full anesthesia.

Living Will
A Living Will is prepared by an attorney and outlines your personal choices for end of life care if you become terminally ill and are unable to make decisions on your own.  It informs health care providers how long you want to receive life-prolonging procedures that would only serve to artificially extend your dying process, such as pumps, ventilators, and feeding tubes.  It also directs that you be permitted to die naturally and only receive medical procedures deemed necessary to provide comfort care or to alleviate pain will be administered.  Additionally, you may identify treatments that are not permitted by your faith, such as blood transfusions, in a Living Will.

Health Care Power Of Attorney
In Virginia, a Living Will is typically combined with a Health Care Power of Attorney into a single document called an Advance Medical Directive.  In a Health Care Power of Attorney, you appoint a trusted person to make medical decisions for you when you are unable to do so, whether or not your condition is terminal.  The person will have broad authority over your medical care and they can choose between treatment options, including surgical procedures, select health care providers and facilities where you receive care, and access your medical records.  While the person you name may be a partner, family member, neighbor, or a friend, it is important to name someone who can make difficult decisions under stress, who understands your values, and who is able to discuss medical care and end of life issues with you.

Virginia Advance Health Care Directive Registry
Virginia residents may choose to store their DNR, Living Will, and Health Care Power of Attorney with the Virginia Advance Health Care Directive Registry administered by the Virginia Department of Health. The Registry is free and a convenient way to store your documents in a secure electronic database.  All data and information contained in the registry remains confidential and is exempt from the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Next Steps
To obtain a DNR, please speak with your doctor or an authorized practitioner. To prepare an Advance Medical Directive , including a Health Care Power of Attorney and a Living Will, or other estate planning documents, please contact Berdan Law today for a free consultation.   Partnering with an experienced attorney ensures your estate plan is tailored to your specific needs and accomplishes your goals.