Advance directives

The documents used in advance care planning are called "advance directives." They fall into two categories: those that provide instructions regarding medical care and those that designate someone, known as a "proxy" or "surrogate," who is empowered to make decisions for the person who is ill. The health care surrogate instruments deal with health decisions. A Durable Power of Attorney expands decision-making power to other areas. States have differing laws governing advance directives and forms that are recognized within that state.

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