What is a healthcare power of attorney?

A healthcare power of attorney in Pennsylvania is a legal document that gives another person the power to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself. It is important to ensure that the person you choose to act for you is someone you trust and who understands the kind of care you would want in a medical situation. The person you appoint can only make decisions about your healthcare and is not allowed to do anything else on your behalf such as manage your finances or make decisions about your home. However, they do have a lot of power when it comes to your healthcare. They will be able to decide on what treatments or medications you should receive, access your medical records, choose medical providers and specialists, make decisions about extending or ending life support, and more. It is important to ensure that your healthcare power of attorney is up to date and accurately reflects your wishes. You should review the document regularly and if necessary, make any changes. A healthcare power of attorney is an incredibly important part of trusts and estates law in Pennsylvania and should not be taken lightly.

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