Health Care Power of Attorney


Health Care Power of Attorney

The legal transfer of the authority to make medical decisions on behalf of another person. That is, health care power of attorney gives the designee (called an agent) the ability to determine what medical procedures may be done on the principal in the event of the principal's incapacitation. For example, one may designate health care power of attorney to a relative in case one develops Alzheimer's disease and is unable to make these decisions oneself. See also: Advanced directive.