Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills Attorney in Millington, Tennessee
Comprehensive Guide to Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills
Advance healthcare directives and living wills help people in Millington plan how medical decisions will be made if they cannot speak for themselves. These documents allow you to name someone to make health decisions on your behalf and to state preferences for life-sustaining treatment, comfort care, and other important medical issues. When prepared with care and reviewed periodically, directives reduce stress for family members and make it easier for medical providers to follow the patient’s priorities. At Jay Johnson Law Firm in Millington we help clients understand their choices and prepare clear documents that reflect personal values and medical wishes.
Creating advance healthcare directives involves more than filling out a form. It includes thoughtful conversations about values, discussion of likely medical scenarios, and coordination with family and healthcare providers. An effective plan explains who makes decisions, what treatments are acceptable or unwanted, and how to handle situations not specifically anticipated. For Millington residents, clear documentation avoids family disputes, prevents guesswork during emergencies, and supports timely decision making. Routine review and updates are advisable as health, relationships, and medical options change over time to ensure the documents continue to reflect current preferences.
Why Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills Matter
Advance healthcare directives and living wills provide certainty about medical care when a person cannot communicate decisions. These tools reduce stress for loved ones by offering explicit guidance to clinicians and family members about treatments that align with the patient’s values. For Millington residents, a well-drafted directive protects autonomy, clarifies who has decision authority, and can reduce the potential for conflict or delay in urgent situations. Clear directives also help healthcare providers act swiftly and ethically, ensuring that treatment decisions honor a person’s wishes while meeting legal and medical standards in Tennessee.
How Jay Johnson Law Firm Supports Millington Clients
Jay Johnson Law Firm assists Millington families with end-of-life planning by preparing advance healthcare directives and living wills tailored to each client’s situation. The firm guides conversations about life-sustaining treatment, appointing a healthcare decision maker, and documenting preferences for palliative care and organ donation. Attorneys at the firm focus on clear communication and practical arrangements that align with Tennessee law. Clients receive straightforward explanations, review of available options, and help recording legally enforceable documents that reduce confusion and provide peace of mind during challenging medical circumstances.
Understanding Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills
Advance healthcare directives and living wills are legal instruments that let individuals state medical preferences and designate a decision maker in case they cannot speak for themselves. These documents vary in formality and scope but commonly include instructions about life-sustaining treatments, comfort measures, pain control, and other end-of-life choices. In Tennessee, certain formalities must be met for validity, and documents should be readily available to healthcare providers. Taking time to document preferences and name a trusted decision maker helps ensure that medical care stays consistent with personal values even under stressful circumstances.
The process of establishing directives includes reflecting on medical priorities, discussing options with family and clinicians, and selecting a surrogate who understands and will honor those wishes. For many individuals, creating a living will clarifies expectations regarding resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition, and hydration. It also provides an opportunity to appoint someone to interpret wishes in unforeseen circumstances. Regular review and communication keep documents current as health or circumstances change. Ensuring copies are shared with a chosen agent, family members, and your primary care provider improves the likelihood that the document will guide decisions when needed.
What an Advance Healthcare Directive and Living Will Are
An advance healthcare directive is a written legal document that allows a person to name a health-care agent and provide instructions about medical treatment if they cannot communicate. A living will is a form of directive that records specific treatment preferences for end-of-life care, such as whether to receive life-sustaining treatments in terminal or permanently unconscious conditions. Both documents aim to preserve individual choice when decision making capacity is lost. They work together to guide clinicians and appointed decision makers, reduce uncertainty, and ensure that care delivered aligns with the person’s stated preferences and moral priorities.
Key Components and Steps in Drafting Directives
Drafting effective advance directives includes choosing a trusted health-care agent, describing treatment preferences in common scenarios, and including any values or religious considerations that should guide decisions. The process usually begins with a conversation about likely medical situations, followed by drafting clear language, signing under required formalities, and distributing copies to relevant parties. Reviewing the document periodically ensures it stays up to date with changes in health, relationships, or goals of care. Attention to detail in phrasing can prevent ambiguity and help the designated decision maker advocate effectively when decisions are required.
Key Terms and Glossary for Advance Healthcare Directives
Understanding common terms can make advance planning more accessible. A glossary clarifies roles such as health-care agent, surrogate decision maker, and proxy, and explains concepts like capacity, life-sustaining treatment, and palliative care. Familiarity with these terms helps individuals draft directives that accurately reflect their wishes and helps appointed decision makers interpret those wishes. In Tennessee it is also helpful to know how state statutes define and validate such documents so that directives are legally effective and honored by medical facilities and providers when they are needed most.
Health-Care Agent or Health Care Proxy
A health-care agent or proxy is the person you appoint to make medical decisions for you if you cannot do so. This individual should understand your values, be willing to carry out your wishes, and be available when decisions need to be made. Choosing a clear and trusted agent reduces confusion and provides a single point of contact for clinicians. It is important to discuss specific medical preferences with the chosen agent so they can act consistently with your wishes, and to name alternates in case the primary agent is unavailable or unable to serve.
Living Will
A living will is a written statement describing preferences about life-sustaining treatments and end-of-life care. It typically addresses situations such as permanent unconsciousness or terminal illness and gives guidance on whether to use treatments like mechanical ventilation or feeding tubes. A living will helps health-care providers and appointed agents understand what medical interventions you would accept or decline. Keeping a living will clear, concise, and consistent with conversations you have had with loved ones increases the likelihood that your preferences will be followed during critical moments.
Capacity and Decision-Making Ability
Capacity refers to the ability of a person to understand relevant information about medical decisions, appreciate the consequences of choices, and communicate a consistent preference. Capacity is decision-specific and can fluctuate with changes in health or medication. When a person lacks capacity, the appointed health-care agent or, absent a directive, the state’s surrogate decision-making rules typically guide medical choices. Documenting preferences in advance reduces reliance on capacity determinations and makes decisions clearer when ability to communicate is impaired.
Life-Sustaining Treatment and Comfort Care
Life-sustaining treatments include interventions such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, dialysis, and artificial nutrition and hydration intended to prolong biological life. Comfort care focuses on pain relief, symptom management, and quality of life rather than prolonging life at all costs. Advance directives can specify preferences for either approach depending on circumstances, allowing an individual to prioritize comfort and dignity or to request aggressive measures. Clear language about the balance between life prolongation and comfort care helps guide both clinicians and decision makers.
Comparing Limited and Comprehensive Directive Options
When planning healthcare directives, people often choose between a narrowly focused form that handles a few specific decisions and a comprehensive package that addresses a wide range of scenarios. A limited approach can be faster and may suit someone with straightforward preferences and a trusted family member who understands their wishes. A comprehensive approach, by contrast, documents more detail and provides guidance across many potential medical situations. The right choice depends on personal circumstances, how detailed one wants the instructions to be, and the degree of certainty desired by the individual and family members.
When a Focused Directive May Be Appropriate:
Clear, Simple Preferences and a Trusted Decision Maker
A limited directive may be adequate when a person has very specific, unambiguous preferences and has chosen a trusted agent who is well informed and available. For example, someone who simply wishes to decline resuscitation but otherwise accepts standard medical care may prefer a concise document. This approach reduces administrative complexity while providing legal clarity for that specific decision. It is most useful when relationships are stable and family members agree on the person’s intentions and the named agent can represent those intentions consistently in clinical settings.
Low Likelihood of Complex Medical Scenarios
A focused directive can be appropriate for individuals in good health with a low probability of facing complex end-of-life decisions in the near term. If medical history and lifestyle suggest minimal risk of incapacitating conditions, a brief directive that covers main concerns may be sufficient. It still serves to appoint an agent and set basic instructions while keeping the document straightforward. Even with a limited form, it remains wise to communicate intentions to family and the appointed agent so that the directive is easier to implement if circumstances change unexpectedly.
Why a Broader, Detailed Directive Can Be Beneficial:
Multiple Complex Medical Possibilities
A comprehensive directive is advisable when there are potential medical scenarios that could be complex or when the individual wants detailed instructions about treatments across different conditions. For those with chronic illnesses, progressive conditions, or significant family dynamics, detailed directives reduce ambiguity and help the appointed decision maker interpret the person’s values in situations that are not straightforward. A broader document also includes contingencies and alternate agents, which can prevent disputes and enable quicker decision making when prompt medical action is required.
Desire for Specific Treatment Preferences and Legal Clarity
Individuals who have nuanced preferences about treatments, who want to address organ donation, or who want to include instructions for possible psychiatric or chronic care scenarios benefit from a comprehensive directive. Detailed documents address legal formalities, reduce risk of misinterpretation, and ensure that healthcare facilities have clear, accessible instructions. A comprehensive approach gives both the medical team and the appointed agent a robust framework to follow, which can provide reassurance and reduce the potential for conflicting interpretations among family members.
Advantages of a Comprehensive Advance Directive
A comprehensive advance directive provides clarity across a range of medical situations, decreasing uncertainty for both family and clinicians. It can describe preferences for resuscitation, mechanical support, artificial nutrition, and palliative measures while naming alternates and detailing how to weigh quality of life considerations. For residents of Millington and surrounding areas, having detailed guidance supports consistent decision making and aligns medical care with deeply held values. A complete directive can also make interactions with hospital systems smoother by presenting readily understood instructions that staff can follow promptly.
Comprehensive planning promotes communication among family members and the appointed decision maker, helping prevent disputes and delays when urgency demands decisions. It also encourages individuals to reflect on priorities and to document circumstances in which certain treatments should or should not be used. This foresight can reduce emotional burdens during crises and helps ensure that the person’s wishes guide care even when they cannot speak for themselves. Maintaining up-to-date directives reduces confusion and contributes to more deliberate, values-aligned medical decisions.
Improved Clarity for Medical Teams and Families
A comprehensive directive helps healthcare providers and family members understand the person’s priorities, which speeds decision making and reduces conflict. When instructions are clear and accessible, the care team can act confidently within legal and clinical guidelines while the designated agent can advocate effectively for choices that match the patient’s wishes. This clarity is particularly valuable in high-stress settings when quick decisions are needed. For the appointed agent, detailed guidance reduces uncertainty about how to balance life-sustaining measures against comfort and dignity.
Protection of Personal Values Through Changing Circumstances
Comprehensive directives allow individuals to embed personal values, religious considerations, and specific scenarios into their medical plans, so care remains consistent even if health changes over time. Documenting preferences for palliative options or for limiting certain interventions preserves decision-making authority by proxy when direct communication becomes impossible. Regular updates to the directive help match evolving medical possibilities and personal priorities, providing ongoing protection of those preferences and helping families and clinicians honor the individual’s goals for care across different stages of illness.
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Practical Tips for Preparing Advance Directives
Start conversations early and document preferences
Begin conversations with family and your chosen decision maker well before a medical crisis arises. Early discussions allow you to explain what matters most and to answer questions about possible treatments, values, and religious or cultural considerations. Documenting these conversations in a legally valid advance directive ensures that those preferences are accessible to healthcare providers when needed. Share copies with your appointed agent, primary care provider, and close family members, and store a signed copy in a safe but reachable location so it can guide decisions promptly.
Choose and prepare a decision maker carefully
Review and update documents periodically
Regularly review advance directives after major life changes such as marriage, divorce, diagnosis of a new health condition, or relocation. Medical advances and personal perspectives can shift what treatment choices feel right. Updating the documents ensures instructions remain accurate and legally effective. When changes are made, distribute updated copies to your health-care agent, medical providers, and family. Keeping records current and accessible reduces the chance of relying on outdated information during critical medical decisions.
Why Millington Residents Should Consider Advance Healthcare Directives
Advance directives protect personal medical choices by documenting treatment preferences and naming someone to make decisions if you cannot. For residents of Millington, having a directive helps avoid family uncertainty and provides medical teams with clear instructions during emergencies. These documents are particularly useful for those with advancing age, progressive illnesses, or complex family situations. By stating preferences ahead of time, individuals maintain control over their medical care and spare loved ones from making unexpected decisions without guidance from the person most affected.
Another reason to prepare directives is that they save time and reduce stress during health crises. Instead of debating options at a moment of emotional strain, family members and clinicians can follow the documented plan. This can lead to faster, more consistent, and ethically aligned care. Additionally, directives can ease the administrative process in hospitals and long-term care facilities by presenting valid legal documents that authorize a chosen agent to communicate with providers and access medical records when necessary.
Common Situations That Benefit from Advance Directives
Advance directives are commonly used by people preparing for major surgery, those diagnosed with progressive illnesses such as dementia or cancer, older adults planning for potential incapacity, and anyone who wants to ensure their medical preferences are known and respected. They are also important for individuals who travel frequently or live alone. In each circumstance, having clear documentation reduces uncertainty, supports swift decision making, and helps align medical treatment with personal priorities when the patient cannot communicate directly.
Planning Before Major Medical Procedures
Individuals facing major surgery or treatment that could temporarily impair decision making often prepare directives to ensure that post-operative or emergency choices follow their preferences. Preparing in advance clarifies whether to pursue aggressive life-sustaining interventions, how to manage pain and comfort measures, and whom to contact about major decisions. Bringing a completed directive to pre-surgical appointments ensures that the medical team and your chosen agent know your wishes before complications arise.
Preparing for Progressive or Chronic Conditions
Those diagnosed with conditions that may affect cognition or long-term function benefit from documenting their wishes early, while they can communicate clearly. Advance directives allow individuals to state preferences for future care, reducing ambiguity as conditions progress. Early planning also gives time to choose an agent who understands day-to-day values and long-range goals for care, and to instruct family members about boundaries and acceptable interventions, so future decisions align with the person’s established wishes.
Protecting Loved Ones from Decision Burden
Many people create directives primarily to protect family members from the burden of making difficult decisions without guidance. A clear advance directive reduces the possibility of disputes among relatives by providing documented instructions. This can preserve family relationships and reduce emotional stress during a medical crisis. Naming a single, informed agent further simplifies communication and responsibility, so loved ones are not left wrestling with uncertain choices at a highly stressful time.
Millington Advance Directive and Living Will Services
Jay Johnson Law Firm in Millington provides practical assistance preparing advance healthcare directives, living wills, and related estate planning documents. The firm helps clients understand available options, draft documents that align with personal values and Tennessee law, and ensure proper signing and distribution. Each step is explained in plain terms and includes advice on how to communicate wishes to family, chosen agents, and medical providers. The aim is to make the process manageable and to ensure that directives are effective when needed most.
Why Choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for Advance Directives
Jay Johnson Law Firm focuses on practical, client-centered planning for healthcare directives and living wills. The firm takes time to listen to each client’s priorities and concerns, helping translate those preferences into clear, legally valid documents. For Millington residents, local knowledge of Tennessee rules and common healthcare practices ensures that documents are prepared in a form that is likely to be recognized and followed by medical facilities. The approach emphasizes communication, accessibility, and careful documentation to protect client wishes.
Clients receive step-by-step guidance through the process, including drafting, reviewing, and executing documents with the formalities required under state law. The firm helps clients consider different scenarios, select and prepare a decision maker, and distribute copies to relevant parties so the directive is readily available when needed. Practical recommendations on storage and periodic review are provided so directives remain current and enforceable as circumstances evolve over time.
Jay Johnson Law Firm also assists clients with related estate planning documents such as durable powers of attorney, guardianship planning, and advanced planning for long-term care. This integrated approach helps ensure that healthcare directives fit within a broader plan for financial and personal decision making. The firm makes sure that documents are drafted with clarity and legal validity, reducing the risk of confusion and supporting smooth implementation when decisions must be made.
Contact Jay Johnson Law Firm to Discuss Advance Healthcare Directives
How We Prepare Advance Directives at Jay Johnson Law Firm
Our process begins with an initial consultation to discuss medical goals, personal values, and family dynamics. We then draft documents that reflect those preferences and explain the legal formalities required in Tennessee. Clients review drafts, ask questions, and make revisions until they are confident the documents express their wishes. We coordinate execution and signing, advise on distribution to medical providers and loved ones, and recommend a schedule for periodic review to ensure the directive remains consistent with current wishes and circumstances.
Step One: Initial Consultation and Preferences Discussion
The first step is a conversation to explore medical priorities and potential scenarios that might require decision making. During this meeting we discuss values, acceptable treatments, and who the client trusts to act as their health-care agent. This dialogue helps identify key concerns and shapes document language to reflect realistic choices. We also address questions about how directives operate in different medical and legal contexts and advise on what to include to make instructions clear and implementable.
Discussing Medical Goals and Values
In this part of the process we focus on the client’s goals for medical care, concerns about life-sustaining interventions, and priorities such as comfort, independence, or longevity. These conversations clarify how to phrase directives so they speak to likely clinical situations. We encourage clients to reflect on personal, cultural, and spiritual values that should inform decisions. This foundation ensures that the written document conveys not just choices but the reasoning behind them, which helps decision makers interpret ambiguous situations later.
Selecting a Healthcare Agent and Alternates
Selecting the right agent is an important part of the process. We discuss qualities to look for in an agent, such as availability, willingness to advocate, and ability to remain calm in high-pressure situations. Clients are encouraged to name alternates and to have frank conversations with appointees so they understand the person’s preferences. Documenting contact information and any specific instructions for the agent helps the person act effectively when decisions are needed.
Step Two: Drafting and Reviewing Documents
After gathering preferences and selecting an agent, we draft the advance healthcare directive and living will using clear, unambiguous language tailored to the client’s wishes. We review the draft with the client, explain each section, and make revisions to ensure it matches their intentions. Attention to specific phrasing helps avoid confusion in clinical settings. Once the client is satisfied, we prepare the final documents for execution and discuss how to distribute and store copies for easy access by providers and family.
Drafting Clear Language and Contingency Instructions
Drafting emphasizes clarity and practical contingencies so that the document covers common uncertainties without being overly technical. We include guidance for likely scenarios and, where helpful, express values and thresholds that shape decisions. Contingency instructions and named alternates reduce the need for interpretation and ensure someone is available to act. The drafting stage seeks to produce a document that hospital staff and appointed agents can follow without ambiguity when urgent decisions are required.
Reviewing and Finalizing Legal Formalities
Finalizing the directive involves confirming the signature, witnessing, and any notarization required by Tennessee law so the document will be valid when presented to medical facilities. We walk clients through the signing process, advise on witnesses who meet statutory requirements, and explain how to create and maintain multiple copies. Attention to these formalities reduces the risk that a document will be rejected in a hospital or care setting during a critical time.
Step Three: Execution, Distribution, and Ongoing Review
After documents are executed, we guide clients on distributing copies to the appointed agent, primary care physician, and close family members. We recommend scanning digital copies and ensuring copies are included in medical records where possible. Clients are encouraged to schedule periodic reviews and to revise documents following major life events or changes in health status. Ongoing maintenance ensures directives remain accurate and actionable, reducing the chance of disputes or misinterpretation when decisions must be made.
Distributing Documents to Providers and Family
A critical final step is making sure that the directive is known and available to those who will rely on it. We advise clients to provide copies to the chosen agent, primary care provider, and any specialists involved in long-term treatment, and to discuss the plan with family members so everyone understands the person’s wishes. Proper distribution increases the likelihood that medical teams will find and honor the document when urgent choices arise.
Scheduling Reviews and Handling Updates
Regular review of advance directives ensures they reflect current health and personal priorities. We recommend revisiting documents after significant life events, changes in relationships, or new medical diagnoses. Updates and re-execution keep directives effective and reduce confusion. We also provide guidance on how to revoke or amend directives properly under Tennessee law so that the most recent document is the one honored by healthcare providers and family members.
Common Questions About Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills
What is the difference between an advance healthcare directive and a living will?
An advance healthcare directive is a broad term for a legal document that allows you to name a health-care agent and provide instructions about future medical care if you cannot make decisions. A living will is a type of advance directive that focuses specifically on preferences for life-sustaining treatment and end-of-life care. Both documents serve to guide medical teams and appointed decision makers when the patient lacks capacity, but they may address different aspects of treatment preference and decision making.Together these documents provide a complete set of instructions: the directive names who can decide and the living will explains which interventions you accept or decline. Preparing both ensures that your values and treatment priorities are documented and available to clinicians and family when urgent decisions arise.
How do I choose a health-care agent or proxy?
Choosing a health-care agent means selecting someone who understands your values, can communicate under pressure, and is willing to act on your behalf. Look for a person who is available, respectful of your wishes, and able to navigate medical settings and family dynamics. Discuss your preferences openly with the chosen individual so they know how to interpret your instructions and can advocate effectively when needed.It is also wise to name alternates in case the primary agent is unavailable. Inform family members about your selection to reduce the chance of disputes and provide copies of the directive to the appointee and relevant medical providers so they are prepared to act when the time comes.
Do advance directives need to be notarized in Tennessee?
Tennessee has specific formalities for certain advance directive documents, and while notarization is not always required, proper witnessing and following statutory requirements is important to ensure the directive is accepted by medical facilities. We advise following the formalities laid out by state law and healthcare institutions to reduce the risk that a document will be rejected during an emergency.When in doubt, having documented legal guidance and appropriate witnessing or notarization when advised provides additional assurance. Jay Johnson Law Firm can review the form and advise on the formalities necessary for clarity and acceptance within Tennessee health-care settings.
Can I change or revoke my advance directive after it is signed?
Yes, you can change or revoke an advance directive at any time while you have the capacity to do so. Revisions should be documented clearly, signed, and witnessed in accordance with legal requirements. It is important to destroy older copies or mark them as revoked and to distribute the updated version to your agent, family, and healthcare providers so that the most recent document is the one relied upon.If you become incapacitated and later regain capacity, you can also reassert or modify your wishes. For permanent changes in circumstances, scheduling a review and re-execution of documents helps ensure continued alignment with current preferences.
Will hospitals in Millington and Tennessee follow my living will?
Hospitals and healthcare providers generally follow valid advance directives and living wills that meet state formalities. Providing a clear, legally executed directive and ensuring it is available in the patient’s medical record increases the likelihood it will be honored. Facilities in Millington and across Tennessee typically have procedures to review and follow such documents when presented.Occasionally, disputes arise about interpretation or applicability. Clear language, communication with clinicians, and a prepared decision maker reduce the risk of conflict. If questions arise about acceptance of a directive, legal guidance can help resolve issues promptly so care aligns with documented wishes.
What should I discuss with my appointed decision maker?
Discuss key values and specific treatment preferences with your appointed decision maker. Explain what quality of life means to you, your views on life-sustaining interventions, and circumstances in which comfort-focused care should be prioritized. Provide written notes about your preferences and share relevant medical history so the agent can make informed decisions consistent with your wishes.Also discuss logistical matters such as medical contacts, insurance information, and where the directive is stored. Preparing the agent reduces uncertainty and helps them advocate effectively with healthcare providers and family members if urgent decisions are required.
How often should I review or update my directive?
Review your advance directive periodically and after major life events such as marriage, divorce, new diagnoses, or significant changes in health. A routine review every few years is advisable to ensure instructions still reflect current values and medical realities. Updating documents after life changes helps maintain legal clarity and prevents reliance on outdated preferences.If you make updates, distribute the new version to your appointed agent, medical providers, and family members and remove or label previous versions as revoked. Keeping records current reduces confusion during emergencies and supports consistent decision making aligned with your most recent wishes.
Can I include instructions about organ donation and palliative care?
Yes, you can include instructions about organ donation, preferences for palliative care, and other specialized considerations within an advance directive or accompanying documentation. Clear statements about organ donation and how you wish to balance life-sustaining treatment with comfort care can guide both medical teams and your appointed agent, especially in time-sensitive situations.When including these instructions, be explicit about circumstances and desired outcomes so that medical staff and family members can act in accordance with your wishes. Discuss these choices with your agent and include details about donation registries or related consent forms as needed.
What happens if I do not have an advance directive?
If you do not have an advance directive, medical decisions will generally be made according to legal surrogate decision-making rules, which may assign authority to family members in a specified order. This can lead to uncertainty if family members disagree or if there is no clear single decision maker. In some cases courts may become involved to appoint a guardian if disputes cannot be resolved.Creating a directive reduces reliance on default legal rules and ensures your preferences guide decisions. It also simplifies the process for family members and healthcare providers by establishing a clear agent and documented instructions.
How can Jay Johnson Law Firm help me prepare these documents?
Jay Johnson Law Firm assists clients in Millington with drafting, reviewing, and executing advance healthcare directives and living wills tailored to personal preferences and Tennessee law. The firm provides guidance on selecting agents, documenting specific treatment preferences, and ensuring proper formalities for validity. We also advise on distribution and record keeping so directives are accessible when needed.We help clients navigate difficult conversations with family and appointed agents and provide updates following life changes. Our goal is to produce clear, actionable documents that minimize uncertainty and support values-driven medical decisions when patients cannot speak for themselves.