Durable Power Of Attorney For Health Care Definition

The durable power of attorney for health care only takes effect when you are unable to make decisions for yourself.

Durable power of attorney for health care definition.

Durable power of attorney for health care. A hcpoa is also referred to as health care proxy medical power of attorney and durable power of attorney for health care. This person would follow any directives you have provided for end of life health care after your incapacitation. A durable power of attorney differs from a traditional power of attorney in that it continues the agency relationship beyond the incapacity of the principal.

You may also name an alternate agent to act for. Instructions about a person s wishes goals and values regarding what will be done in case he or she becomes incapable of making decisions about medical care. Part 1 of this form is a power of attorney for health care. A power of attorney document allows an individual the principal to appoint someone to act as an agent on his behalf.

In some jurisdictions a durable power of attorney can also be a health care power of attorney this particular affidavit gives the attorney in fact the authority to make health care decisions for the grantor up to and including terminating care and life support. To make this easier some states combine a durable power of attorney for health care and health care declaration into a single form commonly called an advance health care directive for more information about preparing documents to direct your health care see the article the living will and power of attorney for health care. Part 1 lets you name another individual as agent to make health care decisions for you if you become incapable of making your own decisions or if you want someone else to make those decisions for you now even though you are still capable. Called also living will durable power of attorney for health care and sometimes advance health care directives or health care advance.

The agent called an attorney in fact though the agent need not be an attorney can take care of important matters for the individual such as managing finances selling property paying bills or authorizing medical care. Health care decisions include the power to consent refuse consent or withdraw consent to any type of medical care treatment service or procedure. A durable power of attorney for health care allows you to name someone to make health care decisions on your behalf. This pamphlet includes a durable power of attorney for health care decisions and a general durable power of attorney.

The two types of durable power of attorney are immediate and springing the first type takes effect as soon as the durable power of attorney is executed. The health care document is based on the statutory form in k s a. A healthcare power of attorney hcpa is a legal document that allows an individual to empower another person to make decisions about his or her medical care.