What Is the Difference Between Health-Care Proxy and Living Will?
Generally speaking, a living will outlines your personal directions regarding life-prolonging medical interventions you wish to receive (or not receive) in the event that you are near death or in a persistent vegetative state. On the other hand, a health-care proxy appoints an individual who will make such decisions as well as give directions for you in the event that you are unable to do so, but not necessarily near death. There is certainly some overlap between the elements of both documents, such as an individual’s wishes regarding health care, but how the two documents are structured and how those wishes are carried out differs.
