A healthcare directive is like a power of attorney in that you nominate someone to be your agent and make decisions for you if you become incapacitated. However, this document allows your agent to make your medical decisions for you. Although it is not a comfortable subject to think about, most of us have clear ideas of whether or not we want to be kept alive on artificial life support, whether we want to be resuscitated in certain circumstances, whether we want to donate our organs and tissues. An advanced healthcare directive, and some supplemental documents will make clear your desires and allow your loved ones the ability to carry out these wishes for you.