Health Care Power of Attorney Details

In a Health Care Power of Attorney you can designate another person (your agent) to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so for yourself at some time in the future. There may be occasions, even if you are not in a fatal state or chronically unconscious, where you are unable to make and convey your health care choices. In these cases, an agent may assist you in making judgments.

In addition to the designation of an agent, these directives often provide an opportunity to give specific directions similar to those allowed in a Living Will. A Health Care Power of Attorney, on the other hand, differs from a Living Will in that it is generally more broad. A Living Will exclusively addresses end-of-life decisions (such as what happens if the principal is in a coma). A Health Care Power of Attorney, on the other hand, empowers the agent to make all health-care decisions on behalf of the principal.

It is important to note that Health Care Power of Attorney documents are “durable” because they remain effective even if you become mentally incompetent.

To make a Living Will, Health Care Power of Attorney, or Advance Health Care Directive (a hybrid of a Living Will and a Health Care POA),