Which document would typically allow an individual to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions for them?

The durable power of attorney for health care is specifically designed for appointing someone to make healthcare decisions on behalf of an individual when they are unable to do so themselves. This document grants legal authority to another person, known as the agent or proxy, to make health-related decisions, ensuring that the individual's medical preferences and needs are respected even if they cannot communicate them.

This mechanism is crucial in situations where patients may be incapacitated, such as during serious illness or after surgery. The durable power of attorney for health care is a comprehensive legal instrument recognized by healthcare providers, making it a vital part of advance care planning.

In contrast, a will pertains primarily to the distribution of one's estate after death and does not address healthcare decision-making. A financial affidavit is a document related to one's financial status and obligations, which does not involve medical decision-making authority. A healthcare directive, while it may outline one’s wishes regarding medical treatment, does not itself appoint an individual to make decisions on one’s behalf unless it is combined with a specific appointment of an agent. Thus, the durable power of attorney for health care stands out as the appropriate document for this specific purpose.