How to be an Excellent Healthcare Power of Attorney
Serving as a healthcare power of attorney is a vital responsibility that requires you to make medical decisions on behalf of a loved one, often in challenging situations. Your primary duty is to act as the principal’s voice, ensuring their preferences—not your own—are followed. This includes providing informed consent for treatments based on the information healthcare providers share about risks, benefits, and alternatives.
End-of-life decisions are among the most complex responsibilities. Advanced directives or living wills often guide these moments, particularly if the principal is in an end-stage medical condition or permanently unconscious. In Pennsylvania, it’s critical to verify these conditions before activating a living will and to honor specific instructions, like preferences about feeding tubes, which state law assumes are desired unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Your authority as a healthcare power of attorney generally ends when the principal passes away, though it may extend to organ donation or other specific circumstances. To succeed in this role, prioritize clear communication, stay objective, and rely on documented wishes to guide decisions. Acting as a healthcare power of attorney ensures your loved one’s values and choices are respected during critical moments.
For more information about healthcare power of attorney roles and preparing advanced directives, explore our resources.
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