When a health crisis strikes, families often scramble to make critical decisions for loved ones who can’t speak for themselves. Without the right paperwork, even close family members might not have legal authority to help.
With a medical power of attorney, you give someone you trust the legal authority to make decisions for your care when you can’t—without any scrambling or family disputes getting in the way.
Getting your medical information
The medical power of attorney gives your agent the right to see your health records. They can look at your medical history, talk with your doctors and ask other doctors for their opinions.
Making treatment choices
Your medical agent can say yes or no to treatments or tests based on your wants. They can:
- Approve surgery after you’ve had a stroke
- Agree to change your medications
- Refuse treatments you wouldn’t want
- Request routine bloodwork
This authority activates only when your doctor officially says you can’t make decisions yourself.
Choosing where you receive care
Your agent can choose where you receive care. This includes selecting hospitals, transferring you to specialized facilities and arranging home healthcare services. They can move you closer to family or a facility with expertise in your specific condition.
Making end-of-life decisions
Your agent handles tough choices about life support when recovery looks unlikely. They can:
- Say yes or no to CPR efforts
- Approve or refuse breathing machines
- Make choices about feeding tubes and IV fluids
- Select comfort or palliative care options
All these hard decisions will reflect what you would have wanted—they are all based on what you instructed your agent on the document and in person.
Protecting your healthcare wishes
Choosing a medical power of attorney ensures your wishes guide your care even when you can’t make the decisions yourself. The person you select acts as your voice, making decisions that honor your values, beliefs and healthcare preferences you’ve shared with them.
Without this document, your loved ones might face court hearings during an already difficult time. Consulting an elder law attorney can help you ensure you get everything necessary included in your document.
