PLANNING YOUR HEALTH CARE DECISIONS-ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE OR POA
by
Raphael A. Rosemblat on Oct. 13, 2015
Other Power of Attorney Estate Estate Planning Estate Wills & Probate
Summary: Basics of POA or Advance Health Care Decisions
PLANNING YOUR HEALTH CARE DECISION
Have you ever stopped to think about the potential problems that could come up if you were to become incapacitated to the point that you were unable to communicate your care wants or needs to a doctor or a family member? While these are not pleasant scenarios to think about, you do need to plan for their possibility in advance. Thus, the need for advance directives.
Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to specify exactly what types of medical care should be administered if you are unable to make medical decisions for yourself. Advance directives also allow you to dictate exactly who you want making these care decisions on your behalf — be it friend or family member. This is important for many reasons, the most important being that it helps family members avoid painful disagreements over your care and treatment options.
Advance directives come in the shape of living wills and health care proxies. Both of these instruments are necessary to insure that your wishes are respected at the time of your incapacity. Please ask for more details.
