Which document specifies a person's treatment preferences when they can no longer make decisions?

The document that specifies a person's treatment preferences when they can no longer make decisions is known as an advance directive. This legal document allows individuals to outline their wishes regarding medical treatment in situations where they are incapacitated and unable to communicate their preferences. By having an advance directive, individuals can ensure that their values and choices regarding healthcare are respected, providing guidance to healthcare providers and family members about the type of treatment they wish to receive or refuse in critical situations.

This concept emphasizes the importance of patient autonomy and the ability to make informed decisions about one’s own healthcare, even in scenarios where one may not be able to voice their opinions directly. Advance directives can include instructions about life-sustaining treatment, preferences for palliative care, or designating a power of attorney for healthcare decisions.

Other terms listed, such as alternate level of care directive, delegated act, and end of life directive, do not encapsulate the same wide-ranging authority regarding treatment preferences for an incapacitated person. For instance, the alternate level of care directive usually refers to the classification of care levels rather than personal treatment decisions, while a delegated act generally involves assigning a specific task or authority without encompassing a comprehensive expression of treatment preferences. End of life directives may refer to specific instructions at the end