Advanced Directive/Medical Power of Attorney?

A Medical or Health Care Power of Attoney or Advanced Health Care Directive allows you to clearly designate your long term healthcare wishes, and to appoint one or two Agents who can inform your health care providers specifically about the kind of care you would like to have if you become unable to make medical decisions for yourself.

These healthcare decisions include: whether or not you wish to receive life-sustaining treatment when there is no hope for recovery; who your primary physician should be; who may speak to medical issues on your behalf if necessary; what healthcare decisions the person named can and cannot make; if you wish to reduce pain; if you wish to be kept alive by artificial means; if you should be resuscitated; and if you wish to donate your organs.

Why would I want to have a Medical/Health Power of Attorney?

This is an important document if you want to make it clear to a loved one your personal wishes if you are incapacitated. This will allow your loved ones to be clear about your decisions and provide the ability for them to carry them out.