Final answer:
The increased use of living wills and advance directives is a result of the need for clear and convincing evidence when making decisions about withholding or withdrawing life-saving equipment. These documents help ensure a person's medical wishes are followed if they become incapacitated and reflect personal beliefs and ethical considerations about end-of-life care.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of certain legal documents like advance directives and living wills has increased due to the call for a clear and convincing evidence standard in cases of withholding or withdrawing life-saving equipment. Living wills are written legal documents that detail the specific medical interventions a person wants or does not want, such as a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, should they become incapacitated. Health care proxies, which can be included within a living will, appoint a specific person to make medical decisions on behalf of the patient if they are unable to speak for themselves.
People often base their decisions to create these documents on personal factors including their religion, culture, and upbringing, and in response to the ethical concerns presented by modern medical technologies that can prolong life without necessarily maintaining its quality. Such decisions are integral to the concept of 'dying with dignity' and are indicative of a shift in how individuals are approaching end-of-life care and autonomy over their medical treatment.