The power of attorney is a legal document that helps grant permission to someone you choose to act on your behalf when you are not around. In case you are mentally incapacitated, there is the concept of the durable power of attorney, which is common in the medical care and finances sectors. A durable power of attorney effectively allows the document to be in effect in case you become incapacitated and cannot handle your matters on your own. The ordinary or the “nondurable” power of attorney ends when the person loses mental capacity.

With the medical power of attorney, a new healthcare directive comes into play. This is a document that sets out the wishes for healthcare when the person is too ill or injured and cannot speak on his or her own.

This kind of the power of attorney is also called a “durable power of attorney for healthcare”. This arrangement involves a trusted person who will oversee the medical and healthcare decisions for you in case you are not able to do so on your own. Depending on the area where you live and the individual you call your “agent” or the “healthcare proxy”, he or she works to get you the kind of care you want to receive. This agent organizes the care for your health and is bound to make sure your treatment preferences are taken into account and you receive the best possible care during times of dire need.

A lot of times, the durable power of attorney for health care along with healthcare declaration are merged to give rise to a combined health care directive.

For further information about power of attorney for healthcare, please contact Notarizers by email at info@notarizers.ca or by phone at 416-782-5926.

Victor Opara. Victor Nnamdi Opara