Which document serves to formalize a patient's healthcare wishes if they become incapacitated?

The document that serves to formalize a patient's healthcare wishes if they become incapacitated is referred to as advance directives. Advance directives encompass various legal documents that allow individuals to outline their preferences regarding medical treatment and healthcare decisions when they can no longer communicate those wishes themselves. This can include living wills, which specify what types of medical interventions an individual does or does not want, as well as durable powers of attorney for healthcare, which appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the patient if they are unable to do so.

While the healthcare power of attorney is indeed related to making healthcare decisions when a person is incapacitated, advance directives is the broader term that includes all documents outlining a patient’s wishes regarding medical treatment. Therefore, advance directives provides the necessary framework for ensuring that a patient's healthcare decisions are respected and adhered to, establishing clear communication with healthcare providers and family members about their preferences.