Health Care Power of Attorney and Advanced Directive
What is a Health Care Power of Attorney? Advanced Health Care Directive?
A Health Care Power of Attorney allows you to select a trusted family member or friend to oversee your medical care and make medical decisions on your behalf if you are too ill to communicate your wishes.
In addition, the Health Care Power of Attorney can communicate your choices regarding:
- A voluntary autopsy;
- Organ donation; and
- Funeral and burial choices.
Without a Health Care Power of Attorney, the court may have to appoint a guardian, which risks having someone who you never would have picked making your medical and end-of-life decisions.
The Health Care Power of Attorney is usually accompanied by an Advanced Health Care Directive a.k.a Living Will. The Advance Health Care Directive allows you to communicate to your loved ones and medical providers your exact wishes regarding your end-of-life care if you are in a persistent vegetative state or have a terminal condition.
Both of these documents can be extremely helpful if you cannot communicate your wishes yourself. Through these documents you can give your loved ones peace of mind knowing that they are making medical and end-of-life decisions for you based on exactly what you want.
Neither the Health Care Power of Attorney nor the Advanced Directive are a Do Not Resuscitate form (DNR). You may choose to execute a DNR to accompany the Health Care Power of Attorney and the Advanced Health Care Directive as part of your comprehensive estate plan.
To discuss your Health Care Power of Attorney and Advanced Health Care Directive, click below to schedule a free 15-minute Introductory Call, or use my online form.