Question 1

what is durable power of attorney? who needs it?

Accepted Answer

Legal document: A durable power of attorney (dpoa) is a legal document that gives expressed rights to someone when you can't express yourself. Everyone needs one just in case. A durable healthcare power of attorney gives someone else the right to speak on your behalf regarding healthcare matters if you can't, eg comatose, demented, delirious, etc. Make sure s/he understands what you want!

Question 2

what is durable power of attorney? living will?

Accepted Answer

Advance directives: A living will helps a person state how they would  like to be taken care of when they are no longer able to make their own decisions and when they have certain conditions that limit their life expectancy. It addresses artificial hydration and nutrition and prolongation of life when you are in a comatose state.
A durable power of attorney speaks on your behalf health or finances.

Question 3

how can i change my durable power of attorney?

Accepted Answer

Call your lawyer: Just call your lawyer and have him/her change the document.  Remember then to give the updated document to everybody who will need it including your doctor, hospital, ambulance service, church, etc.

Question 4

what is the definition or description of: durable power of attorney?

Accepted Answer

Power of attorney: In a nutshell, dpoa is when the patient can no longer make sound/accurate informed decisions about their health care and require a proxy to make the decision for the patient, in their best interests.  It only takes into effect if the patient is unable to make sound decisions, and can be inactivated verbably by the patient at any time.

Question 5

does durable power of attorney for health come into coonflict with hipaa?

Accepted Answer

No: No. A durable power of attorney gives someone the right to make medical decisions on someone else's behalf. Implicit in that is the permission that he medical care must be discussed with that person who has the power of attorney. It would be a violation of hipaa to talk with people who were not involved in the patients care about the patient.

Question 6

is there a legal form we can download for a durable power of attorney?

Accepted Answer

Lawyer or hospital: The best thing is to check with your doctor, lawyer, or local hospital.  States may have subtle nuances about such legal matters so it's best to make sure you have the correct wording for your state.  They can tell you how to get the form or where to go to download the appropriate one.

Question 7

i was recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. should i do durable power of attorney ?

Accepted Answer

Sleep ap treatable: Severe sleep apnea is treatable through proper use and calibration of breathing pressurized air through a  nasal mask and a ventilator type device for home use.  Untreated sleep apnea leads to deprivation of sleep, especially deep sleep and leads to numerous medical conditions such as high blood pressure. Proper treatment should lead to full functioning.

Question 8

what would happen if i am in coma without power of attorney?

Accepted Answer

Depends on state: There are different laws in each state. If you do not have a power of attorney or a living will which expresses your wishes should you be unable to answer yourself, usually the medical caregivers will look to your next of kin to make decisions for you.

Question 9

can a family member decide a patient's care without power of attorney?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If the patient is incapacitated, then a family member is authorized to make healthcare decisions according to that state's specific laws (e.g. Parent then any child vs eldest child). If a poa has previously been assigned & legal papers properly completed, then that poa has legal right to make healthcare decisions. However, any surrogate gets to make healthcare decisions only if the patient can't.

Question 10

should i revise my power of attorney papers if i now have an empty nest?

Accepted Answer

You can : You can change your power of attorney or health care proxy/ advanced directives at anytime with the help of your attorney.

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Doctor answers about:

Durable power attorney

A member asked:

What is durable power of attorney? who needs it?

A member asked:

What is durable power of attorney? living will?

A member asked:

How can i change my durable power of attorney?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: durable power of attorney?

A member asked:

Does durable power of attorney for health come into coonflict with hipaa?

A member asked:

Is there a legal form we can download for a durable power of attorney?

A member asked:

I was recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. should i do durable power of attorney ?

A member asked:

What would happen if i am in coma without power of attorney?

A member asked:

Can a family member decide a patient's care without power of attorney?

A member asked:

Should i revise my power of attorney papers if i now have an empty nest?

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