|
Q.Living Will, Health Care Proxy, Power Of Attorney For Health Care: Which One is Right For Me?
A.All of these documents are advanced health care directives, which depending on your state may be called a living will, health care proxy, declaration, or power of attorney for health care. Despite their different names they all serve two goals: (1) directing whether or not you will receive life prolonging treatment, and if so to what extent, if you become terminally ill (the Living Will) and (2) appointing a trustworthy agent to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become temporarily unable to communicate your wishes (Durable Power Of Attorney For Health Care or Health Care Proxy).
If you fail to appoint an agent to make medical decisions for you, should you become unable communicate due to an illness, accident, or advanced age, a family member may have to go to court to have a guardian or conservator appointed for you (which is probably not in your best interest).
|
|
