If you’re like many people, your life is often controlled by someone else — who, if you are sick and unable to make your own decisions, can take over your entire life. Usually, this means sacrificing the things you want to get the medical care they want you to have. However, there is a legal workaround to all of this.
A medical power of attorney is a document that allows one person in your life, who can be anyone from a spouse to a close family member and even a friend, to put their wishes on paper and legally take over control of your medical treatment when they think it is necessary.
Throughout this article, we’ll discuss some key points about medical power of attorney and how it will benefit you.
What is a Medical Power of Attorney?
A Medical Power of Attorney (MPA) is a legal document that gives someone else the authority to make decisions about your medical care if you cannot do so. It is an essential document for anyone looking to protect their rights and ensure they receive the medical care they want. With a medical power of attorney in place, you can rest assured knowing that your wishes will be respected and carried out even if you cannot express them yourself.
Is A Medical Power Of Attorney Just For The Elderly?
The medical power of attorney is valuable for anyone, regardless of age. Even though we know that most of those who do MPA are seniors. It is helpful for everyone. In the event of an accident or injury, even a young adult could become incapacitated; under anesthesia, even elective surgery can temporarily disable you from consenting to any additional treatment.
No matter how old or healthy you are, you will be protected by naming a representative and creating a medical power of attorney.
How Can A Medical Power Of Attorney Help You Receive The Medical Care You Want?
When you or your doctor determine that you cannot make your own medical decisions, a medical power of attorney (MPA) takes effect.
You may be unconscious, have dementia, or be otherwise incapacitated. If you lose the ability to make your own decisions, a medical power of attorney will help you obtain the medical care you want.
Therefore, it is crucial to know when to appoint a medical power of attorney to make sure your wishes are met. You can use the MPA to appoint a representative to make decisions regarding your medical care. hey decides for your:
- Treatments,
- Operations, and
- Potentially end-of-life care.
In most cases, a medical power of attorney will take effect as soon as it is signed by the individual granting the authority. But, there are some circumstances where the MPA may only be effective once the individual cannot make their own medical decisions.
In these cases, the family lawyer mediation will only start working when the individual is disabled and cannot communicate their wishes. In such instances, it’s important to talk to your family law attorney to discuss your specific circumstances and ensure your MPA is legally binding.
What Purpose Does A Medical Power of Attorney Serve?
For various reasons, preparing a medical POA in advance is advisable. The following are the essential considerations you should bear in mind:
- To create peace of mind
If you become too ill or damaged to decide, your loved ones may need to step in. It can be time-consuming and expensive to go to court if you do not have a medical POA. The situation can also be made even more challenging if your loved ones have to guess about what care you prefer.
You can give yourself and your loved ones peace of mind by designating a trustworthy person to serve as your healthcare agent before you actually need one.
- To prepare for a major medical procedure
If you have surgery, you should choose a healthcare agent to make medical choices for you because you cannot consent while under anesthesia. You can revoke the power of attorney once you recover, and if you wish.
- To address concerns following a diagnosis of a degenerative condition
Several conditions will eventually make it impossible for you to comprehend or consent to medical treatment, such as:
- Alzheimer’s,
- Cancer,
- ALS, and
- Huntington’s disease.
It’s a good idea to set up a medical power of attorney before you get sick and communicate your wishes for your health care.
How Does A Medical Power of Attorney Work?
A power of attorney for healthcare is a legally binding document. Once done, it will be ready to protect you and be implemented as needed. Your healthcare team will decide to execute the document and delegate decision-making to your representative.
Typically, a doctor—and occasionally a psychologist—will determine that you are incapacitated and unable to make your own healthcare decisions. If you are awake or conscious at the time, your providers will communicate this information, which is determined by several criteria, including:
- Whether You Can Comprehend the Decision Made for You
You must understand what your doctor is telling you and the ramifications and consequences of your decisions.
- If You Can Make an Informed Choice
Can you cognitively absorb the information you’ve been given and make an informed decision about your options and care?
- Whether You Can Relay Your Wishes
Even if you comprehend what the doctor is saying, you must be capable of deciding and expressing a decision. You can say it out loud, write it down, or nod in agreement, but your decisions must be clearly communicated in an intelligible manner.
If you cannot perform all these things, your medical power of attorney will be activated, and your healthcare agent or representative will act on your behalf. Being aged or suffering from a mental disease is not enough to pronounce you incapable of making decisions.
Conclusion
A medical power of attorney can help you ensure that you receive the medical care you want in the event that you are unable to communicate your wishes. Working with the right family lawyer mediation ensures that you’re well-represented in case that you’re disabled.
It also works best for anyone that cannot make sound decisions regarding their medical care. Such includes those that are too young to decide right.
This document offers a comprehensive guidance on what you should know about the importance of working with an MPA. Hence, appointing the right person to make decisions about your medical care in the event that you are unable to do so yourself offers safety. You get the relaxation that comes with the reassurance that you are in safe hands.
More so, if you are concerned about what might happen to you if you become seriously ill or injured, a medical power of attorney can give you peace of mind.