Palliative care charity Omega 90 has made available its “Living Will” form, in which someone writes their choices in the case that they are terminally ill and can no longer express themselves at the end of their life, in English.
The “Living Will”, called the “Directive Anticipée” in French, put together by the palliative care association Omega 90, helps to determine which treatments a terminally ill person would still wish or refuse to have, which kind of support could contribute to their well-being and whether they wish to have psychological or spiritual support.
The “Living Will” also allows for the designation of a so-called “trusted person” who will act as the ill person’s “spokesperson” in case he/she can no longer speak for him/herself.
Apart from English, the “Living Will” is also available in French and Portuguese. The form can be downloaded on the Omega 90 website.
Omega 90 also offers free consultation sessions to help with writing a “Living Will” and doctors can also help with the writing process.
The law of 16 March 2009 on palliative care, on the “Living Will” and on support at the end of life, outlines what can be regulated in a Living Will. It addresses the following points: conditions, limits and termination of treatment, including pain treatment. Moreover, the “Living Will” comes into effect only under the conditions that a person is in an advanced or terminal stage of a serious and incurable illness, and is no longer able to express their will.
For more information, consult Omega 90’s website: www.omega90.lu, email: info@omega90.lu, or tel.: 29 77 89 1
