Different Types of Health Care Directives in Massachusetts
Different Types of Health Care Directives in Massachusetts
It's just life. You make what you can of it.
- Karina Halle
Health care directives are documents that allow you to notify your doctor and family members of your desired health care treatment should you be unable to communicate those wishes yourself.
Also known as health care declaration, a living will is a document that lets you declare the type of medical care should you do or do not want to receive if you are no longer able to communicate anymore due to illness or injury.
Other names:
• Health Care Declaration
• Directive to Physicians
• Health Care Directives
• Medical Directives
This document names a trusted person to make medical decision on your behalf if you are unable to communicate on your own. This document is also known as a medical power of attorney and it specifies the trusted person to make medical decisions for you, sometimes referred to as an Attorney-in-Fact or Agent.
Authority is given to this person to direct the wishes you have stated in your health care declaration. He or she will be empowered to make other decisions pertaining to your health care issues that might not be set out on your document.
Durable
Power of Attorney for Health Care is also known as:
• Medical Power of Attorney
• Power of Attorney for Health Care
• Designation of Surrogate
• Patient Advocate Designation
Other Names for Attorney-in-Fact or Agent
• Attorney-in-Fact for Health Care
• Patient Advocate
• Health Care Proxy
• Surrogate
• Health Care Representative