29/09/2025
ELDERCON 2025 – A Historic Dialogue on Dignity & Choice
At the first interstate geriatric conference hosted by PSG Hospitals, Coimbatore, Dr. Guruprasad and Swarnalatha took the stage as panelists on the powerful theme: “Nothing About Me Without Me – Living Will & Right to Decide My Treatment.”
They brought forward voices that are often overlooked — the patient’s perspective and the caregiver’s reality — highlighting why a Living Will is not just a document, but a declaration of dignity, autonomy, and self-respect.
A Living Will empowers individuals to make clear choices about their future medical care, ensuring that their values and decisions are honored even when they may not be able to express them. It safeguards families from confusion, ensures doctors follow ethical clarity, and most importantly, places the power of decision-making back where it belongs — with the person.
How can it be registered?
1. Draft your Living Will clearly, specifying treatment preferences.
2. Sign it in the presence of two witnesses.
3. Get it attested by a Judicial Magistrate of First Class (JMFC).
4. Ensure it is documented in hospital records and accessible to your family and treating doctors.
This is more than paperwork — it is about owning your story, your choices, and your end-of-life dignity. Let’s normalize conversations around Living Wills. Let’s create a society where seniors are not just cared for, but heard, respected, and empowered.
