Why even have advance directives?

In the Timmerman’s article “Social Death as Self-Fulfilling Prophesy,” he discusses, among other aspects of resuscitation efforts, advance directives: “advance directives, living wills, durable powers of attorney, and do-not-resuscitate orders” are all various legal methods to give a patient a say in what medical treatment they receive in the event of sudden death. If a patient does not wish to be resuscitated, they can make this clear through these advance directives, as they will be unable to do so if and when they do end up in this situation.