Healthcare Power of Attorney: Take the Stress Out of Tough Medical Decisions
November is National Home Care & Hospice Month. Over the course of this month, we celebrate the compassionate and dedicated workers who help people recover from illnesses or pass away with dignity while being cared for in their own homes.
Any discussions around home care and hospice also bring up an important legal topic: The need for a Healthcare Power of Attorney (POA).
As a law firm, we probably think about Healthcare Powers of Attorney way more than the average person! One of our missions is to make sure that our clients have the proper plans in place to make decisions easier on their chosen representatives. So if the opportunity arises to stress how important a Healthcare POA is, we’re going to take it!
What is a Healthcare Power of Attorney?
During a medical emergency or at the end of your life, the last thing your support circle needs is to second-guess all of their decisions when it comes to your care. When your wishes are well documented, it eliminates the guesswork and helps to ensure that all of your wishes are known and carried out.
A Healthcare POA will make it easier for your representative to obtain the care you need, whether it’s by acquiring home care, nursing facility care, hospice, or another type of end-of-life care. If you would prefer to avoid a certain setting, location, or specific caregiver, you can also list that in your Healthcare Power of Attorney.
But this document also goes beyond where you want to be cared for. It also discusses how you want to be cared for.
Your Healthcare Power of Attorney can also include a section where you lay out any medical interventions you may want to approve or decline. This could include a do not resuscitate (DNR) clause.
Why is it Important to Have a Healthcare Power of Attorney?
When it comes to medical emergencies, there are a lot of decisions that need to be made, often quickly and with little information. By sitting down, thinking through the options, and putting your wishes in writing ahead of time, while you’re still of sound body and mind, you could potentially save your loved ones from agonizing over a difficult decision later down the line.
We can help you clearly designate who your agent will be, including any backup plans if that agent is not available or unwilling to serve. This eliminates any tension or hard feelings, especially if you have a large family who may all feel entitled to make decisions.
Explicitly naming your preferred agent also protects your representative from running into any legal issues while making medical decisions on your behalf. If your agent can legally prove that they are your preferred representative, it helps to eliminate any pushback they may receive from the medical facility or hospital.
If you haven’t thought about preparing a Healthcare Power of Attorney, put it on your to-do list! This important document is not just for end-of-life decisions brought on by old age. Since medical emergencies can occur at any time, we recommend a Healthcare Power of Attorney to all of our clients — regardless of age!
To get this process started, contact our office to schedule a consultation. Doing this work ahead of time will make it easier for your family in times of crisis.