Final answer:
The formal appointment of a decision-maker can be done through a living will, power of attorney, and advance directive, all legal documents that ensure a person’s healthcare wishes are followed when they cannot communicate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formal appointment of a decision-maker can occur through various methods. These typically include the creation of a living will, establishing a power of attorney, and drafting an advance directive. A living will is a legal document that details specific medical interventions a person wants or does not want, often including a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order. A power of attorney allows someone to make decisions on behalf of another individual, and an advance directive is a broader term that can encompass both of these documents, outlining how healthcare decisions should be made if the person is unable to make them on their own. Each of these methods is crucial in ensuring that a person’s healthcare wishes are followed when they are unable to communicate their decisions.