Health Care Powers of Attorney are just one of several healthcare-related documents that are part of having an estate plan. As with durable powers of attorney, healthcare powers of attorney allow you to designate an agent to make medical decisions when you cannot make them on your own – either because of a lack of capacity or inability to effectively communicate those decisions on your own. The types of decisions your health care agent can make for you are very broad and include things like consenting to surgery, X-rays, admission or discharge to hospitals, and electing types of treatment. Of course, you have the ability to limit, define, or impose limitations on your healthcare agent’s ability to act in the healthcare power of attorney document.
A related document is the advance healthcare directive, which allows you to specifically state your desires for withholding or withdrawal of medical care in the event of a terminal illness, lack of consciousness, or severe cognitive deficit. Many people are familiar with the case of Terri Schiavo in Florida and the lengthy debate between her parents and husband over the withdrawal of life-prolonging measures. The Advance Directive is designed to avoid such scenarios by establishing your personal preference for such treatment (or withdrawal or treatment) while you still have the ability to formulate your own opinions on the matter.
A Reno medical power of attorney lawyer at our firm will walk you through the process of selecting your agents and identifying the choices (and limitations) you want regarding your healthcare decisions. Call now to speak with one of our knowledgeable POA attorneys.