Do I Really Need a Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will?

Estate Planning For Life's Stages

An Advance Directive/Living Will is that type of document. It provides authorization for the termination of life support. It is a document that only you can sign – you cannot delegate the power to make that decision.

Topic: Estate Planning

The Pauls Valley Democrat’s recent article entitled “Advance directives and living wills” explains that an Advance Directive has three parts:

A living will
Naming of your health care agent; and
Your directions for anatomical gifts.

This is a document that is part of a complete estate plan. The individual that you name as your Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will will make decisions for your treatment and care, if you’re unable to do so. These decisions may extend to all medical issues and aren’t limited to end-stage, life determining decisions that are mentioned in your living will. This is a form of power of attorney that authorizes your agent to act in your behalf to address issues like these:

Accessing your medical information
Discussing your treatment options with your healthcare providers
Getting second opinions on your diagnosis
Selecting and authorizing various medical tests
Your placement in a hospital or care facility
Transferring your care to a new physician; and
Communicating your wishes on life support in terminal or unconscious situations.

Most people select their spouse and then at least one back-up in their Living Will. You may select one or more persons to act as your proxy.

A best practice is to choose a person who’s younger than you who is geographically close, a person with time to assist you and with whom you’re willing to share in advance your wishes, likes and dislikes as to medical care. This person should be trusted to act and honor your wishes.

Because many decisions relate to your very personal concerns about religion, death and dying, these feelings should be shared with your health care proxy before any serious situation.

The Advance Directive is a very important document that pertains to your wishes, as they relate to medical care, end-of-life and death.

Parts I and II can discuss your wishes for care treatment, as well as your choice of a person to represent your wishes. These are two very important issues. Take the time to consider the advance written expression of your own wishes.