The difference between a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare is that a _____.

Question

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A living will is used to specify which medical treatments should be administered or withheld in the event that a patient is unable to communicate or make decisions for themselves. A durable power of attorney for healthcare, on the other hand, designates a surrogate decision maker who can make medical decisions on the patient's behalf if they are unable to do so. So, while both documents deal with healthcare decisions, the main difference is that a living will designates treatment preferences while a durable power of attorney designates a person to make decisions. Choice A is incorrect because a durable power of attorney does not necessarily specify specific treatments to be held or withheld, but rather designates a person to make those decisions. Choice B is incorrect because a durable power of attorney is typically executed before the patient becomes incapacitated, and the surrogate decision maker does not need to be a family member. Choice D is incorrect because a living will can be executed when the patient is competent, but it does not designate a person to make decisions - that is the role of the durable power of attorney.

The Difference Between a Living Will and a Durable Power