Healthcare power of attorney can be established for many types of people and for a variety of reasons. For instance, an adult child may seek to establish a power of attorney for an elderly parent residing in a nursing home or a parent with Alzheimer’s disease. In any case, the purpose of medical power of attorney is ensuring that the appropriate candidate is put in charge of managing the individual’s medical affairs, particularly if the individual is incapacitated and unable to respond. Often, clients who establish power of attorney also create what is called a living will. A living will is a document that describes what type of medical treatments or procedures a patient would like to receive in the event that an illness or injury prevents them from being able to communicate that information themselves. A living will on its own is capable of representing the wishes of patients that are terminally ill or permanently incapacitated.  However, a medical power of attorney can outline the responsibilities for managing the individual’s medical affairs even if they are not deemed terminally ill or permanently unresponsive. 

Ideally, power of attorney should be established well in advance of the individual in question becoming too weak or infirm to communicate their desires. By procuring a medical power of attorney in advance, you can better guarantee that the patient’s wishes are recorded and noted at the time of signing. If you live in Brevard County, Florida and are in need of assistance establishing a healthcare power of attorney, our experienced lawyers at Speicher & Speicher can help you do so. Our law firm has over 45 years of combined experience in assisting clients in establishing healthcare power of attorney, as well as living wills, probate, and other planning services. Contact us today at 321-637-9937 to speak to an experienced attorney or send us a message through the contact page on our website.