Advance directives for health care are instructions, preferably executed in writing, by individuals specifying what actions should be taken for their care in the event that they become unable to make healthcare decisions.

■■ A living will is the instrument or legal document that describes those treatments an individual wishes or does not wish to receive should he or she become incapacitated and unable to communicate treatment decisions.

A living will provides specific instructions as to a patient’s wishes, such as a desire not to be maintained on a respirator.

■■ A healthcare proxy is a legal document that allows a person to appoint a healthcare agent to make treatment decisions in the event he or she becomes incapacitated and is unable to make decisions for him- or herself.
■■ A durable power of attorney is a legal device that permits one individual, known as the principal, to give to another person, called the attorney-in-fact, the authority to act on his or her behalf.
■■ A surrogate decision maker is an agent who acts on behalf of a patient who lacks the capacity to participate in a particular decision.
■■ Guardianship is a legal mechanism by which the court declares a person incompetent and appoints a guardian.