Advance directive glossary

Experts give the following definitions for terms and words involving advance directives:

Advance directives: People use these written documents to let their families and medical providers know how they would like their health care to be handled in the future.

Durable power of attorney: Patients use these written documents to name a family member or someone else to make medical decisions if the patients are unable to make their own decisions.

Health care treatment directives: These written instructions are similar to living wills but specifically refer to patients who are not terminally ill.

Living will: People use these written instructions to show their family and medical providers what type of medical care they would like to receive in the event of a terminal disease or serious medical condition.