Health Care Power of Attorney

What is a Health Care Power of Attorney?

A health care power of attorney is a document that allows you to choose a person who will have the authority to make health care decisions for you if you are unconscious, mentally incompetent, or otherwise unable to make decisions.

A health care power of attorney will stay in effect forever, unless you name a new person, or you specify a date for it to end.

Why Do I need a Health Care Power of Attorney?

There may be times that you are unable to participate in making decisions about your health and will need someone to do that. Consider this: You are in an accident and become unconscious. Someone will need to consult with the physicians and consent to your medical treatment AND it can't be you. 

If you do not have, or want a relative to make those decisions, you will benefit from having a health care power of attorney or health proxy. This allows you to choose who will make those decisions. They could be decisions around surgery or proceedures, medicines, or next steps to take. The main point is you have the option to name YOUR health care power of attorney and not leave these decisions to chance.

How Do I name someone to be my Health Care Power of Attorney?

Before leaving care, speak with your social worker about "executing a health care power of attorney" document. This document is legal and recognized by the state. Name this person in the document.

Be sure to select someone you trust. It could be a friend or relative or a lawyer. Anybody could be given this authority. The main thing is that the person you choose not abuse this power and will look out for your best interests.