Aging
With Dignity reports demand For living wills surges-
High-profile Terri Schiavo case inspires thousands
to plan In advance of
serious illness -
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Oct. 22, 2003 --
Aging with Dignity reports a significant increase in requests for its
"Five Wishes" living will in the past six days. The national
non-profit organization is responding to thousands of individual requests
since October 16. Many people are ordering 25 or more copies of "Five
Wishes" to give to friends and family members, and noting the Schiavo
case as their motivation for wanting a living will.
"Five Wishes" is a legal
document that helps adults of all ages plan for the kind of care they
would -- or would not -- want in case of a serious illness. It is easy to
use and understand, and it helps people communicate their preferences to
their family and health care provider. It helps avoid tragic situations
that can arise when family members and others are left to guess what a
person would want. "Five Wishes" meets the legal requirements in
most states, and is usable in all 50 states.
Aging with Dignity is a private,
non-profit organization that advocates for quality care at the end of
life. With support from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Princeton, NJ,
it created and distributes the "Five Wishes" advance directive.
In less than five years, "Five Wishes" became the most widely
used advance directive in America, with more than 3 million copies
circulating and more than 5,000 organizations distributing the document in
all 50 states.
The "Five Wishes" document can
be ordered in English or Spanish by visiting www.agingwithdignity.org, or
calling toll-free 1-888-5-WISHES (594-7437). The Five Wishes document is
available for $5 (or $1 per copy for orders of 25 or more).