What process allows an individual to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so?

The process that allows an individual to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so is known as the Designation of Health Care Surrogate. This legal document specifically authorizes another person to make decisions related to medical care when the individual is incapacitated or unable to communicate their wishes. The appointed surrogate has the responsibility to act in accordance with the patient's preferences and best interests, ensuring that their healthcare choices reflect what the individual would have wanted.

In contrast, a Durable Power of Attorney can cover a broader range of issues, including financial decisions, not solely focused on healthcare. An Advance Directive encompasses both a Living Will and the Designation of Health Care Surrogate, outlining an individual's preferences for care but does not appoint someone directly. A Living Will, on the other hand, specifically outlines what types of medical treatment an individual wishes to receive or not receive in the event they are unable to communicate their preferences, but it does not appoint a person to make those decisions on their behalf.