Life Choices
COMMUNICATING ABOUT END OF LIFE
Life Choices: Page 5 of 36
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Advance Directives: Durable power of attorney for health care choices
Health care choices directive | Living wills
Durable power of attorney for health care choices
The durable power of attorney for health care choices, included in the first part of the six-page form included with the pdf version of the Life Choices publication, allows you to appoint another person to make health care decisions that you have not specified in the health care choices directive. The person you appoint is called your agent.
You already may have a power of attorney for business and financial matters. Many people choose separate agents for business and health care and make this known in separate documents.
Your health care agent should be someone who understands your goals and values and you trust to carry out your wishes.
You may choose a family member, spouse, adult child or close friend who is at least 18 years old. Your agent cannot be a doctor, an employee of a doctor, or an owner, operator or employee of a health care facility in which you live, unless you are related. Make sure to ask the person whether he or she is willing to act as your agent, and talk candidly about your wishes so there are no misunderstandings.
Your agent may make decisions for you only if you are physically or mentally unable to do so yourself.
Missouri law requires two doctors to declare a person incapacitated, unless you specify otherwise. The durable power of attorney section on the form allows you to choose whether you want one or two doctors to determine whether an agent should make decisions on your behalf.
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