Advance directives refer to instructions from an individual about actions that the individual would or would not want to be taken if he or she were somehow incapacitated and unable to join in making decisions;
originally, these were informal statements made orally or in writing; currently, they are more formally codified in living wills and durable powers of attorney Advance directive is a document that allows people to say what type of care they want to receive in case they cannot speak for themselves.