What is the role of advance directives, living wills, and durable power of attorney for healthcare in decision-making?

• A. Advance directives express preferences; living wills provide treatment wishes; durable power of attorney designates a decision-maker when capacity is lost.
• B. They are optional and rarely used.
• C. Living wills appoint a doctor to make decisions.
• D. Durable power of attorney handles only financial matters.

Answer: (A)

These documents exist to protect patient autonomy and provide a clear plan for decision-making when a person can’t speak for themselves. An advance directive is a broad tool that captures your preferences for medical care in the future. A living will is a specific type of advance directive that spells out which treatments you would or would not want in certain situations, particularly near the end of life. A durable power of attorney for healthcare designates a trusted person to make medical decisions on your behalf when you lack capacity.

Together, they cover both what you want and who should decide when you can’t decide for yourself. Clinicians use these documents to guide care that aligns with your values, often reducing uncertainty for families and avoiding disputes about who makes decisions. These instruments are not optional in practice, and a living will does not appoint a doctor. A durable power of attorney for healthcare is about appointing a healthcare decision-maker, not only handling financial matters (that would be a separate financial power of attorney).