Living Will: How Advance Decisions Help You Control Future Healthcare

Medically Reviewed by: Dr Jackie Gray, Public Health Expert and Retired GP
(Carents Trusted Reviewer Programme – Last reviewed July 2025)

A Living Will, legally called an Advance Decision in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, is a binding document that outlines your medical treatment preferences. It comes into effect only if you lose the mental capacity to make or communicate decisions about your care. This document ensures your healthcare providers must respect your wishes, easing the pressure on your family during difficult times.

Typical topics in a Living Will include:

• Types of treatments you do not want to receive

• When to withdraw life-sustaining treatment

• Preferences regarding resuscitation in certain scenarios

For carers supporting elderly parents or those in the sandwich generation, who care both for their children and aging parents, this clarity can be invaluable.

An Advance Statement is not legally binding but allows you to express your preferences and personal wishes about your care. It can include details about your lifestyle, beliefs, and what makes you comfortable. Though healthcare providers do not have to follow it by law, sharing this document helps family, carers, and doctors understand your desires and may guide decisions if you cannot communicate.

Examples of what an Advance Statement may cover:

• Religious or spiritual beliefs

• Dietary needs or allergies

• Preferred place of care or residence near end of life

• Personal likes and dislikes

Together, these documents provide a clear picture of your wishes, which can reduce family stress and improve care quality. They help carers and healthcare teams understand what matters most to you, which is especially important in the sandwich generation juggling multiple caregiving roles.

You must be over 18 and have the mental capacity to make decisions at the time of creating these documents. Your instructions should be clear and specific.

Note that Living Wills cannot be used to request anything illegal (such as euthanasia) or to refuse necessary pain relief.

• You can draft it yourself, but getting legal advice can help ensure it is clear and legally valid. Solicitors usually charge around £200, though some charities offer free guidance.

• Use reputable forms such as those from Compassion in Dying charity for a good template.

• Tell your loved ones and healthcare professionals about your Living Will and where it is kept. Carry a card or use schemes like ‘message in a bottle’ to alert emergency services.

• Review your document regularly and update it if your wishes or circumstances change.

• You can write your Advance Statement yourself, including any personal preferences or important information about your care.

• Decide who should see it: family, carers, and doctors.

• Discuss it with your GP and ask them to add a copy to your medical records if possible.

• Use templates if preferred, including online forms or those from charities like Compassion in Dying.

• Regularly review and update your statement to reflect changes in your views or health.

• Check whether your parents have a Living Will or an Advance Statement and where it is stored 

• Make sure other members of the family of these documents, especially any with PoA for health and welfare 

•  Make regular (perhaps annual) checks to understand whether your parent’s preferences have changed over time, especially after a significant life event.

•  Use these documents as part of your broader advance care planning to support your elderly parents

Many people caring for elderly parents are also raising children or supporting other family members. This sandwich generation can feel overwhelmed with responsibilities. Having clear advance care documents can help ease emotional and decision-making burdens by giving carers confidence that the elderly parent’s wishes are respected.

A Living Will or Advance Statement could provide invaluable clarity when caring for elderly parents. The documents will help you to act in your parents best interests and ensure that their wishes are honoured if they cannot speak for themselves. 

Remember, you are not alone. Carents is here to support you with practical advice and a community that understands.

Take your time, get the right support, and know that you could make a real difference in your care journey.

Medically reviewed by Dr Jackie Gray, July 2025