What does the term "advance directives" refer to?

The term "advance directives" refers specifically to legal documents that outline an individual's preferences for medical care in the event that they become unable to communicate their decisions due to illness or incapacity. These documents can include living wills and durable power of attorney for healthcare, which allow individuals to specify their wishes regarding treatments they would or wouldn't want to receive. This ensures that healthcare providers and family members are aware of the patient's desires, making it easier to avoid potential conflicts about care decisions.

In contrast, verbal agreements on treatment may not carry the same legal weight as formal advance directives, and general health guidelines do not pertain to personal treatment preferences in emergency situations. Requests for specific medications do not encompass the broader scope of an individual's overall healthcare preferences that advance directives address.