What is a durable power of attorney for health care?
A durable power of attorney for health care is a document which allows you to authorize another person (called an agent) to act on your behalf in matters relating to your personal care, medical treatment, hospitalization, and health care. These powers include an authorization to require, withhold, or withdraw any type of medical treatment or procedure. This power of attorney is called “durable” because it continues to be effective (and in some cases can only be effective) upon your disability, incapacity or incompetency. Unlike a living will, which generally only applies to end-of-life decisions, a health care power of attorney may apply to a number of lesser, non-life threatening situations in which a medical care decision must be made.
