Protective Durable Power Of Attorney For Health Care (Page 2 of 8) in pdf

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QUESTION AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE

PROTECTIVE DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE

What is the Protective Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (PDPAHC)?

The PDPAHC is a document that enables you, a person who fully respects human life, to

appoint someone you trust to make health care decisions for you, in accord with sound moral

principles and your express wishes, in the event you become permanently or temporarily

incapable of speaking for yourself.

Is the PDPAHC preferable to a Living Will?

Yes, definitely. By executing a PDPAHC you ensure that the person with authority to make

medical decisions for you is a carefully chosen family member or friend, familiar with your

principles and wishes and capable of firmly protecting your best interests.

A Living Will, on the other hand, is an advance directive in which a person gives health care

providers authority to withhold, withdraw or provide medical treatment and even ordinary care,

such as tube-feeding, in future, unforeseeable circumstances. This is dangerous. Medical

decisions should always be based on current information. (See “Principles for Making Moral

Medical Decisions,” page 3.)

Should I name more than one agent?

It is not required, but it is advisable to name an alternate agent in case your primary agent is

unavailable or becomes incapacitated.

Should I periodically renew and/or review my PDPAHC?

Your PDPAHC is permanent, unless revoked by you in the presence of two witnesses. You

should discuss your wishes in detail with your agent when you sign your PDPAHC (or state-

specific PMDD) and periodically review it with your agent.

To whom should I give originally signed copies of my PDPAHC?

You should give completed, witnessed, and originally signed documents to your agent(s) and to

your primary care physician. Also, keep one for yourself in a readily accessible place, along

with a record of each person to whom you have give a copy. If you ever change or revoke your

document, this record will be helpful.

How do I revoke a previously signed advance directive?

By completing the PDPAHC, you revoke any prior advance directive. It is wise to retrieve and

destroy all copies of previously executed directives.

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