Power of Attorney for Medical Care
Prepared according to statutory requirements, this durable power of attorney for health care is executed by a person of sound mind, who is capable of making decisions about health care. In the event that the patient loses the ability to make these decisions for himself or herself, an agent is empowered to make decisions regarding medical treatment. Called a durable power of attorney, the agent has no power to act until such time as the patient loses the capacity to make their own health care decisions and the patient’s attending physician certifies the patient no longer can make decisions and places the certification in the patient’s medical records. This document is usually desired prior to surgery or upon diagnosis of serious illness.

Physician’s Directive for Terminal Illness
Commonly known as a “living will”, this document directs that life-sustaining procedures be withheld or withdrawn in the event of a terminal condition. The patient may indicate that he or she does not want extraordinary measures or artificial life support during a terminal condition, and may appoint a proxy for medical treatment decisions if the patient becomes unable to do so.