A medical power of attorney is a legal document that allows an individual to designate another person, known as an agent or proxy, to make medical decisions on their behalf in the event that they are unable to do so themselves. This may be due to incapacitation, illness, or other circumstances that prevent the individual from communicating their wishes or making informed decisions about their own medical care.

A medical power of attorney is a type of advance directive, which is a legal document that outlines an individual's preferences for medical treatment and end-of-life care.

In addition to designating a medical proxy, an advance directive may also include instructions for life-sustaining treatments, such as feeding tubes, ventilators, and resuscitation measures.

The medical power of attorney is an important document that can help ensure that an individual's wishes are respected and their medical care is managed in a way that aligns with their values and preferences. Without a medical power of attorney, family members or medical professionals may make medical decisions on an individual's behalf based on their own assumptions or opinions, which may not be in line with the individual's wishes.

To create a medical power of attorney, an individual must first select an agent who they trust to make medical decisions on their behalf. This may be a family member, friend, or other trusted individual who is willing and able to serve as the individual's medical proxy. It is important to discuss the individual's medical preferences and values with their chosen agent in order to ensure that the agent understands their wishes and is able to make informed decisions on their behalf.

The medical power of attorney document should include specific instructions and guidelines for the agent to follow when making medical decisions on the individual's behalf. These instructions may include preferences for certain medical treatments, as well as any religious or cultural considerations that should be taken into account. The document may also outline the individual's preferences for end-of-life care, such as whether they would like to receive life-sustaining treatments in certain circumstances.

It is important to note that the medical power of attorney only goes into effect when the individual is unable to make medical decisions on their own. In the event that the individual regains the ability to make decisions, the medical power of attorney becomes invalid and the individual resumes control over their own medical care.

Creating a medical power of attorney is an important step in ensuring that an individual's wishes are respected and their medical care is managed in a way that aligns with their values and preferences. It is particularly important for individuals who may be at risk of incapacitation due to illness, injury, or other circumstances. It is also important for individuals with strong opinions about their medical care and end-of-life preferences.

It is important to discuss the medical power of attorney with family members and loved ones, particularly the agent designated in the document. This can help prevent misunderstandings or conflicts regarding medical decisions in the event that the individual is unable to make decisions on their own. It is also important to keep the document up-to-date and to review it periodically to ensure that it still reflects the individual's wishes and preferences.

In addition to the medical power of attorney, there are other types of advance directives that may be relevant for individuals seeking to make informed decisions about their medical care. These include living wills, which outline an individual's preferences for end-of-life care, and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders, which indicate that an individual does not want to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in case he ceases to breath or even if his heart stops.

Overall, the medical power of attorney is an important legal document that can help ensure that an individual's medical care is managed in a way that aligns with their wishes and preferences. By selecting a trusted agent and providing clear instructions and guidelines for their medical care, individuals can help ensure that their loved ones are appropriately protected.

In short, a POA´s goal is to legally protect individuals; therefore, a correct POA should achieve that important goal above all.