A
Durable Medical Power of Attorney. A durable
medical power of attorney (also referred to
as a durable health care power of attorney
or an advance directive) allows you to appoint
an agent to make your medical decision s for
you if your incapable of making them for yourself.
You can give your agent instructions as to
what type of medical care you want or do not
want, including the authority to withhold
or withdraw life-sustaining procedures, if
you so desire. A durabl e medical power of
attorney is usually accompanied by a living
will which gives instructions to health care
providers regarding the withholding or withdrawal
of life-sustaining procedures. Without a properly
drafted and signed du rable medical power
of attorney or living will, your spouse and/or
children may not be able to control your medical
care.
