Advance Directives for Medical Decisions

Patients can determine in advance how they want to be treated in a certain situation, and in particular, situations in which they reject treatment. The provisions to be observed for the preparation and practical implementation of a living will under German law are presented and discussed. The chapter also describes the principles according to which a decision is to be made if no living will has been drafted. Additionally, it is recommended that a trusted person should be granted power of attorney, since the future course of an illness (including cancer) cannot be predicted in every detail.