Who will help you when you need it most? Selecting the right person to be your Medical/Health Care Power of Attorney is essential.
Our team of Elder Law Attorneys understand the importance of choosing the right Medical/Health Care Power of Attorney and will help guide you in reaching your decisions by asking the right questions. When working with our estate planning attorneys, you will feel comfortable and secure knowing that your medical needs will be in the care of a trusted loved one and that you have a plan for your care as you age. Rokisky, McCune, Wilharm & Blair will help you through the process of executing the necessary documents so you no longer have to worry about who will help you when you need it most.
What is a Medical/Health Care Power of Attorney?
The medical/health care power of attorney document helps you to have a plan in place in case you are unable to communicate your wishes regarding your medical situation and leaves that decision in the hands of a trusted individual who knows your situation and what you would want to be done in certain circumstances. Without having this document, your health decisions can be made by another individual who may not know your preferences/intentions and an alternative route may be taken regarding your medical care.
Why do you need a Medical/Health Care POA?
The medical/health care power of attorney document helps you to have a plan in place incase you are unable to communicate your wishes regarding your medical situation and leaves that decision in the hands of a trusted individual who knows your situation and what you would want done in certain circumstances. Without having this document, your health decisions can be made by another individual who may not know your preferences/intentions and an alternative route may be taken regarding your medical care.
A medical/health care power of attorney is not the same as a living will. A living will only applies in an end-of-life situation when you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious. If you are temporarily unconscious or unable to communicate, a medical/health care power of attorney would be needed to make many medical decisions.
Common Power of Attorney Topics
Differences with Financial Power of Attorney
Medical Power of Attorney typically only gives powers for medical decisions. These documents tend to be flexible, but you often see Medical and Financial Power of Attorney in separate documents.
Durable Power of Attorney
If a power of attorney is durable, it remains valid and in effect even if you become incapacitated. If the power of attorney document does not say durable, it ends if you become incapacitated.
Who should you pick as your Medical/Health Care POA
Selecting someone to represent you and your medical needs can be a difficult decision. When looking for someone to be your agent, you should look for the following characteristics:
- Someone you trust
- Comfortable discussing healthcare issues
- Lives Nearby
- Understands or familiar with Medical processes
If you have more questions about who you should pick for your power of attorney, check out this article.
Additional Help and Resources
Rokisky Law has been the Ohio Valley’s leader in Elder Law and we continue to provide the community with information through articles and videos.
Subscribe to our bi-weekly show “Senior Living Today” or watch it live on WTOV9 (Sundays 11:00 am).
You can also read more about Estate Planning and Elder Law on our Estate Planning Blog.