What is the purpose of healthcare directives?

The purpose of healthcare directives is primarily to inform medical staff of an individual's healthcare preferences in situations where the person is unable to communicate their wishes due to incapacity. This legal document ensures that the healthcare team understands what types of medical treatment the individual wants or does not want, thus allowing for informed medical decision-making in accordance with the patient's values and preferences.

Healthcare directives may include instructions regarding life-sustaining treatment, resuscitation efforts, pain management, and other critical healthcare decisions. This is essential in ensuring that a person's autonomy and wishes are respected even when they cannot express them.

In contrast, options focused on asset distribution, financial management, and establishing a power of attorney fall outside the primary function of healthcare directives. Asset distribution pertains to wills and estates, whereas financial decisions are typically governed by financial power of attorney documents. Establishing a power of attorney can certainly complement healthcare directives, but it serves a different purpose focused on legal and financial matters rather than medical preferences.