Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney gives someone you choose the power to act in your place, in case you ever become mentally incapacitated, you’ll need what are known as “durable” powers of attorney for medical care and finances. A durable power of attorney simply means that the document stays in effect if you become incapacitated and unable to handle matters on your own. (Ordinary, or “nondurable:’ powers of attorney automatically end if the person who makes them loses mental capacity.)

Living Will

A Living Will is the oldest type of health care advance directive. It is a signed, witnessed (or notarized) form called a “declaration” or”directive:’Most declarations instruct an attending physician to withhold or withdraw medical interventions from its signer if he/she is in a terminal condition and is unable to make decisions about medical treatment.

Health Care Surrogate

A Healthcare Surrogate, is someone who is appointed to make healthcare decisions for you when you become unable to make them for yourself. Healthcare decisions include but are not limited to, medical and surgical treatments, life-prolonging interventions, psychiatric treatment, nursing care, hospitalization, treatment in a nursing home, home health care and organ donation.