What document is necessary to indicate a person's wishes regarding care during a terminal illness?

The Advance Directive is a crucial document that expresses a person's preferences regarding medical treatment in the event that they become unable to communicate those wishes themselves, particularly during a terminal illness. This legal document can include specific instructions about the types of medical interventions a person would or would not want, such as resuscitation efforts or the use of ventilators, helping ensure that their values and desires are respected even when they are incapacitated.

While a Power of Attorney can delegate authority to someone to make health care decisions on an individual's behalf, it does not necessarily communicate the person's specific wishes regarding care. Similarly, a Health Care Proxy allows someone to make decisions for another person, but it does not explicitly outline a person's specific treatment preferences. A Living Will is closely related to an Advance Directive, as it often serves the same purpose of detailing preferences about end-of-life care. However, not all Living Wills are recognized as comprehensive as Advance Directives, which may cover a broader range of health care situations.

Thus, the Advance Directive is the most comprehensive and appropriate document for indicating a person’s wishes regarding care during a terminal illness, clearly laying out their choices in advance.