Final answer:
Advance directives are legal documents outlining an individual's healthcare preferences when they are unable to make decisions themselves. They include a variety of instructions such as Do Not Resuscitate orders, living wills, and healthcare proxy appointments. They are crucial for ensuring a person's wishes are respected and followed at the end of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Advance directives are legal documents that allow individuals to convey their decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time, providing a way for patients to communicate their wishes to family, friends, and healthcare professionals, and to avoid confusion later on when they might not be able to express their wishes. They are not specifically required for experimental treatments, but rather, they are meant to outline a person's preferences for medical treatment in situations where they are unable to make decisions on their own.
These documents can include instructions like a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, a living will, or the appointment of a healthcare proxy. A DNR order is a request not to have CPR if your heart stops or if you stop breathing. A living will reflects your wishes about medical treatments at the end of life, while a healthcare proxy is someone who is designated to make medical decisions on your behalf if you're unable to speak for yourself.
It's important to share these documents with your healthcare providers as well as your family and close friends to ensure that your wishes are followed.