A written compilation of statements that specifies which life-prolonging measures a person does or does not want taken if incapacitated is known as what?

A living will is a specific legal document that outlines an individual's preferences regarding life-prolonging medical treatments in the event that they become incapacitated and unable to communicate their wishes. It explicitly states the types of medical interventions a person desires or does not desire, such as resuscitation, artificial nutrition and hydration, and mechanical ventilation. This document serves as a guide for healthcare providers and family members when crucial decisions about end-of-life care need to be made, ensuring that the individual's wishes are respected even when they are unable to voice them.

In contrast, while durable power of attorney and healthcare proxies involve appointing someone to make medical decisions on behalf of the individual, they do not themselves specify the particular medical interventions desired. Durable power of attorney allows a designated person to act on behalf of another, but does not inherently convey specific treatment preferences. Similarly, a healthcare proxy is a designation allowing someone to make decisions when the individual is incapacitated, but again lacks the specificity of a living will regarding desires for treatment. Advance care planning is a broader term that encompasses discussing and documenting care preferences, including living wills, but does not specifically refer to the documented statement about life-prolonging measures.