How does a durable power of attorney differ from a health care proxy?
A power of attorney is a document in which you, as principal, appoint another person to serve as your attorney in fact (in other words, as your agent) in business and financial matters affecting you or your property. A power of attorney is “durable” if the power it confers remains effective even though you later become incapacitated. Your attorney in fact has no authority to make health care decisions for you. To appoint an agent to act for you in health care matters, you must sign a health care proxy.
