Final answer:
A living will is a legal document that allows individuals to specify their preferences for end-of-life care, including whether or not they want to be kept alive by medical life-support systems in the event of a terminal illness. It can include a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order and appoint a health care proxy. These documents give individuals control over their medical treatment and are influenced by personal beliefs and values.
Step-by-step explanation:
A living will is a legal document that specifies a person's wishes regarding medical treatment in the event that they become terminally ill and request not to be kept alive by medical life-support systems. It is a form of advance directive that allows individuals to communicate their preferences for end-of-life care when they are no longer able to express them.
A living will can include a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, which instructs medical personnel not to attempt to restart the heart or put the person on a respirator if they cannot breathe on their own. It can also appoint a health care proxy, a person who will make medical decisions on behalf of the individual if they are unable to do so.
Living wills and DNR orders are influenced by factors such as religion, culture, and upbringing, and they allow individuals to maintain control over their medical treatment in the face of a terminal illness.