What is an advance directive?

An advance directive is a legal document that specifies an individual's preferences regarding medical treatment in the event that they become unable to communicate their wishes. It typically includes decisions about life-sustaining treatments, organ donation, and other healthcare decisions, guiding healthcare providers and loved ones to honor the person's choices. This legal framework ensures that an individual's healthcare preferences are respected and followed, even when they cannot speak for themselves due to incapacitation.

The other options, while relevant in a healthcare or organizational context, do not accurately define what an advance directive is. Guidelines for staff conduct pertain more to operational protocols rather than individual health decisions. A schedule for resident activities focuses on organized events and daily programs for residents, without any relation to personal medical treatment choices. A report on financial expenditures relates to budgeting and financial management, which is unrelated to healthcare directives or personal medical preferences.