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The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization wrote in its 2005 pamphlet, "Questions and Answers: Advance Directive and End-of-Life Decisions":

“Living wills address end-of-life decisions only. An agent appointed through a medical power of attorney usually can make healthcare decisions for you in a wider range of situations than those involving end-of-life care.

Benefits of having a living will: If your agent must decide whether medical treatment should be withheld or withdrawn to permit you to die, your living will can reassure your agent that he or she is following your wishes. Further, if the person you appointed as agent is unavailable or unwilling to speak for you, if you have been unable to identify an appropriate agent, or if other people challenge a decision not to use life sustaining medical treatments, your living will can guide your caregivers…

If you have no one to appoint as your agent, it is especially important that you complete a clear living will.”

2005