What is the difference between an advance directive, living will and a durable power of attorney for health care?
Each of these documents contains instructions for health and end-of-life care in case you are incapacitated in the future. Although there are many different labels, the purpose of the documents are the same: 1) the appointment of a health care agent (also known as an attorney-in-fact) to make health care decisions on behalf of the patient and 2) the patient’s instructions for the use of life-sustaining measures and comfort care at a time when they cannot express their wishes independently.
