Has the “health care power of attorney” ever included mental health powers?
Arizona, like a growing number of other states, permits appointment of a “mental health care” agent to authorize psychiatric treatment. The mental health power of attorney can even provide that it becomes irrevocable during your psychiatric treatment, so that your agent has the authority to admit you to a locked inpatient facility. While this power is very potent, it can also save considerable cost and anguish if you must be treated psychiatrically in connection with future development of a growing dementia, for instance. Arizona permits the mental health care power of attorney to be included in your regular health care power of attorney. If you prefer, they can be two separate documents. Most people will probably name the same agent for both purposes, and it makes good sense to combine the two powers. If you do not include specific mental health powers in your general health care power of attorney, your agent will still have the authority to consent to psychiatric medications and trea
Related Questions
- When one spouse gives power of attorney (both financial and health care) to an adult child, who has begun to utilize the powers, what responsibility does the other spouse have?
- What powers are granted to an agent under a Power of Attorney for Health Care?
- Has the "health care power of attorney" ever included mental health powers?
