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Proxy comes from a contracted form of the Middle English word procuracie (meaning ?procuration?). A proxy may refer to a person who is authorized to act for another or it may designate the function or authority of serving in another's stead.

Advance directives are legal documents that provide instructions for medical care and only go into effect if you cannot communicate your own wishes. The two most common advance directives for health care are the living will and the durable power of attorney for health care.

A ?health care proxy? is the catchall word for anyone who makes medical decisions on behalf of a patient.

Advance directives consist of (1) a living will and (2) a medical (healthcare) power of attorney. A living will describes your wishes regarding medical care. With a medical power of attorney you can appoint a person to make healthcare decisions for you in case you are unable to speak for yourself.

The two most common advance directives for health care are the living will and the durable power of attorney for health care.

Types of Advance Directives The living will. Durable power of attorney for health care/Medical power of attorney. POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) Do not resuscitate (DNR) orders. Organ and tissue donation.

Problems with Advance Directives Sometimes, people change their minds after expressing advance directives and forget to inform others. Many times, advance directives are too vague to guide clinical decisions.

Advance directives include legal documentation such as a living will, power of attorney and do not resuscitate (DNR) orders. The directive documents identify who will make decisions if the patient is unable to and who will be involved in their final care.

An advance directive isn't the same as a DNR DNRs, like POLST forms, require a physician's sign-off and are medical orders, instructing emergency personnel to withhold resuscitation efforts. If you don't want to receive resuscitation, including that information in an advance care directive is not enough.

Get the living will and medical power of attorney forms for your state, or use a universal form that has been approved by many states. Choose your health care agent. Fill out the forms, and have them witnessed as your state requires.