What type of written instruction guides healthcare decisions for those who are unable to communicate?

The correct answer is the Advance Directive, which serves as a crucial tool for guiding healthcare decisions when an individual is unable to communicate their wishes. An Advance Directive is a legal document that outlines a person's preferences regarding medical treatment and interventions in situations where they may not be able to express their desires, such as during a severe illness or incapacitation.

This instruction can include specifications on the types of medical interventions one does or does not want, resuscitation efforts, and other vital healthcare decisions. The purpose of an Advance Directive is to ensure that a person's healthcare choices are respected and followed, aligning with their values and preferences even if they cannot voice them at the time.

In contrast, a Power of Attorney primarily designates an individual to make financial or legal decisions on behalf of another person, rather than focusing specifically on healthcare choices. A Living Trust is a financial and estate planning tool that helps manage a person's assets and does not address healthcare decisions directly. Meanwhile, a Health Care Proxy is a type of Advance Directive where a person appoints someone else to make healthcare decisions for them, but it doesn’t provide the detailed guidance on healthcare preferences that an Advance Directive offers. Thus, the Advance Directive is most comprehensive in outlining one’s wishes regarding healthcare when they are unable