What is an Advanced Directive commonly referred to as?

An Advanced Directive is commonly referred to as a living will because it specifically outlines a person's preferences regarding medical treatment in situations where they may become incapacitated and unable to communicate their wishes. A living will typically addresses various medical scenarios, enabling healthcare providers and family members to understand the individual’s desires regarding life-sustaining measures, pain management, and other critical health decisions.

The term "living will" clearly conveys the intention of the document, which is to maintain the individual's autonomy over medical decisions even when they are unable to voice their preferences. This contrasts with other terms such as Power of Attorney, which generally refers to a legal document authorizing someone to make decisions on behalf of another, or Health proxy, which designates an individual to make healthcare decisions but does not outline specific treatment preferences as a living will does. Health care directive is a broader term that can include both a living will and a health proxy, but the direct reference to a living will captures the distinct nature of a person’s treatment preferences.