Which statement correctly characterizes the relationship between a living will and an advanced directive?

Which statement correctly characterizes the relationship between a living will and an advanced directive?

• A. A living will is a separate legal instrument unrelated to advanced directives.
• B. An advanced directive is a living will.
• C. It is a type of advanced directive.
• D. A living will appoints a health care proxy.

Answer: (C)

An advance directive is a broad category of documents that express your medical wishes if you can’t speak for yourself. A living will is a specific type of advance directive that details which treatments you want or don’t want in certain situations, especially end-of-life care. It isn’t a separate instrument unrelated to advance directives; it resides within that framework. It also doesn’t appoint a health care proxy—that role is typically filled by a durable power of attorney for health care (a health care proxy) or can be included in the overall directive in some jurisdictions. So the living will is best described as a type of advanced directive.

An advance directive is a broad category of documents that express your medical wishes if you can’t speak for yourself. A living will is a specific type of advance directive that details which treatments you want or don’t want in certain situations, especially end-of-life care. It isn’t a separate instrument unrelated to advance directives; it resides within that framework. It also doesn’t appoint a health care proxy—that role is typically filled by a durable power of attorney for health care (a health care proxy) or can be included in the overall directive in some jurisdictions. So the living will is best described as a type of advanced directive.