Final answer:
Advance directives and living wills allow individuals to make their healthcare wishes known in advance. They include specific medical interventions a person wants or doesn't want and can appoint a healthcare proxy to make decisions on their behalf. These legal documents ensure that individuals have control and autonomy over their healthcare.
Step-by-step explanation:
Advance directives and living wills play a crucial role in healthcare by allowing individuals to make their wishes known in advance. These legal documents detail specific medical interventions a person wants or doesn't want in case they become incapacitated or unable to communicate their preferences. A living will can include a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order, which specifies that medical personnel should not attempt to revive the patient if their heart stops beating or they stop breathing. Additionally, a person can appoint a healthcare proxy in their living will, granting someone else the authority to make medical decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so. These advance directives ensure that individuals have control over their healthcare even when they can't speak for themselves.