What Is a Living Will?
Learn what a living will is in Canada, how it supports your end-of-life wishes, and why it complements your broader estate and healthcare planning
A living will, sometimes called an advance directive, is a written statement that outlines your preferences for medical care if you become seriously ill or incapacitated and can no longer speak for yourself. Unlike a traditional Will, which deals with your property after death, a living will is used during your lifetime—often in moments when decisions must be made quickly.
This document gives you the opportunity to guide your care, reduce confusion for your loved ones, and relieve the burden of tough decisions.
How a Living Will Differs from Other Documents
A living will works alongside—but is distinct from—your Power of Attorney for Personal Care. While your POA names someone to make decisions for you, your living will gives that person clear instructions on what those decisions should be.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Living Will (Advance Directive) | Describes your medical treatment preferences |
| Power of Attorney for Personal Care | Appoints someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf |
| Traditional Will | Directs the distribution of your property after death |
Tip: A living will is not mandatory in Canada, but it is highly recommended—especially if you have strong feelings about life support, resuscitation, or other critical care treatments.
What a Living Will Can Include
Your living will can be as simple or detailed as you like. It should reflect your personal values, medical preferences, and quality-of-life priorities.
Common topics include:
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Whether to use or withdraw life support
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Use of feeding tubes or artificial hydration
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Pain management and palliative care
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Use of CPR or resuscitation
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Organ and tissue donation preferences
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Religious or cultural beliefs affecting care
Important: A living will only takes effect when you are mentally or physically unable to express your wishes. Until that point, you continue to make your own decisions.
How a Living Will Supports Your Family and Care Providers
A living will does not replace your Power of Attorney for Personal Care—it enhances it. When both documents are in place:
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Your attorney has clear guidance about your values
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Doctors understand your preferences quickly in emergencies
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Your loved ones are spared from making uncertain or painful choices
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The risk of disagreement among family members is reduced
A well-crafted living will can be a tremendous gift of clarity during a difficult time.
How Optimize Helps You Prepare for Healthcare Decisions
At Optimize, we help you plan for more than financial outcomes. We help you prepare for the decisions that matter most—when you may be unable to express them.
We assist by:
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Guiding you through what to include in a living will
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Coordinating your living will with your POAs and health documents
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Helping you discuss your values with your attorney and family
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Reviewing and updating your instructions as your life or health changes
We believe that your care should reflect your voice—even when you cannot speak.
Why a Living Will Brings Peace of Mind
Medical emergencies can happen without warning. When they do, your living will becomes a lifeline—for your loved ones, your care team, and your own dignity. It ensures your values are respected, your preferences are followed, and your decisions are not left to chance.
Plan ahead. Write it down. And give the people who care about you a clear path forward—when clarity is what they will need most.