What is an Advance Directive?

An Advance Directive is fundamentally a legal document that outlines a person’s preferences regarding medical treatment in the event that they are unable to communicate their wishes. This type of document can include directives about life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation efforts, and the designation of a healthcare proxy to make decisions on one’s behalf.

This ensures that an individual’s healthcare choices are respected and followed, even when they may be incapacitated or unable to express their wishes directly. It serves as a crucial tool for guiding medical professionals and loved ones in making informed decisions that align with the individual’s values and desires.

The other options describe different types of documents or arrangements that do not relate specifically to the preferences for medical treatment expressed in an Advance Directive. For example, granting financial power to a family member pertains to a power of attorney, while healthcare insurance documents focus on coverage and payment for services. A medical record summary is more about health history than about individual treatment preferences.