Is an advanced health care directive the same as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care?

In California, the document that names an agent to make your medical decisions is called an “Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD)”. In other states, this document is often referred to as a “Living Will” or “DPOA for Health Care”. If you live in California you should have AHCD, which is the document that allows you to name an agent for health care decisions and designate your health care and end-of-life decisions. If you do not have an AHCD and you are unable to make medical decisions for yourself, your loved ones will need to go to court and be appointed the conservator of your person.