A Durable Power of Attorney is a legal document naming an individual or group as responsible for your health care decision. The document is strongly recommended in addition to your Advanced Directive (living Will) to insure that your wishes concerning future health care are reflected.
Attorney Pahl advises that every person, 18 years and older, prepare both an Advanced Directive and a Durable Power of Attorney. The Power of Attorney will allow for more flexibility with regard to medical treatment decisions, than an Advanced Directive. This flexibility is crucial if there are unexpected changes in your condition; the Power of Attorney allows your agent (person with power) to base medical decisions on more than just your written wishes. It is essential that you choose an agent that fully understands your wishes and that you discuss those wishes.
Once you have completed the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, it may be appropriate for copies to be distributed to:
Agents | Doctors | Hospital
Remember:
- Discuss, honestly and openly, your healthcare wishes with your appointed agent(s), physicians, clergy, family and friends.
- Discuss your wishes often, especially if your health condition changes.
- If your wishes should change, destroy the old documents and create a new one.
- Have all documents properly executed in case of travel since states differ on execution requirements.
- Should you decide to revoke your Georgia State directives, be certain to inform all concerned parties (clergy, doctors, family, agents, etc.)
- Do not store your copies of health directives in a safety deposit box since they will serve no purpose, and access may be restricted.