What is the difference between a health care power of attorney and a “living will”?
Power of attorney can cover all medical decisions. Statutory living wills only apply to decisions regarding “life-sustaining treatment” in the event of a “terminal illness.” A terminal illness does not include Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia or coma. A durable health care power of attorney can be effective any time or, if you want, at any time you are unable to make or communicate a decision. The agent you appoint can make any decision you direct, including decisions about health care beyond those covered by your living will. For example, the agent under a durable power of attorney can make decisions about care if you are in a persistent vegetative state, but are not terminally ill. Power of attorney appoints an agent Through a durable power of attorney, you appoint someone to act on your behalf. That person can weigh the pros and cons of treatment decisions in accordance with your directions. Unless you limit the powers, the agent can hire physicians and other health care providers, dec
