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Traditionally, there are two main kinds of advance directives: the living will and the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare. The state California also allows the use of a POLST (Physician's Orders For Life‑Sustaining Treatment).

One difference between a POLST form and an advance directive is that the POLST form is designed to be actionable throughout an entire community. It is immediately recognizable and can be used by doctors and first responders (including paramedics, fire departments, police, emergency rooms, hospitals and nursing homes).

Advance directives (like a health care proxy and living will) document future care preference and are difficult to interpret in an emergency. Advance directives are for everyone 18 years of age and older. MOLST is a set of medical orders that defines life-sustaining treatment the patient wants to receive or avoid now.

Unless you state a specific date when you want your document to expire, your Advance Directive stays in effect until you decide to revoke it. Revocability – in California you have the right under the law to say all or any part of your Advance Directive is no longer binding.

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An advance directive is a direction from the patient, not a medical order. On the other hand, a POLST form gives medical orders. These orders address a limited number of critical medical decisions to be followed in a medical crisis.

POLST is for people who are seriously ill or have advanced frailty. If you are healthy, an advance directive is for you. POLST forms and advance directives are both parts of advance care planning but they are not the same. POLST forms must be filled out and signed by health care provider.

Of the 7946 respondents, 26.3% had an advance directive. The most frequently reported reason for not having one was lack of awareness. Advance directive completion was associated with older age, more education, and higher income and was less frequent among non-white respondents.

Advantages of Health Care Directives Autonomy in Health Care Decisions. Reducing Burden on Family. Clarity for Health Care Providers. Potential to Avoid Unwanted Treatments. Complexity in Making Decisions. Legal and Medical Misunderstandings. Emotional Difficulty. Need for Regular Updates.