An advance directive, prepared when a person is still alive, competent, and able to make decisions, regarding his or her specific instructions about end-of-life care. Living wills allow people to specify whether they would want to be intubated, ventilated, treated with pressor drugs, shocked with electricity (to stop life-threatening heart rhythms), and fed or hydrated intravenously (if unable to take food or drink).

SEE: advance directive.