Not legal advice: Requirements vary by state or country. This guide explains general concepts — consult an attorney to actually set one up.
What a healthcare power of attorney actually is
A healthcare power of attorney (POA) is a legal document naming someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make them yourself. It only activates in that specific circumstance — it doesn’t hand over decision-making while you’re capable of making your own choices.
POA vs advance directive vs healthcare proxy
- Healthcare POA: names a person to decide for you
- Advance directive / living will: states your own wishes in advance (e.g., about life support), so no one has to guess
- Healthcare proxy: another term for the person named in a POA, used interchangeably in some states
Many people benefit from having both a POA and an advance directive — one names who decides, the other guides how they should decide.
When a family should consider setting one up
Common triggers: a parent entering their 70s or 80s, a serious diagnosis, a major upcoming surgery, or simply wanting the paperwork settled before it’s urgently needed. Doing it while everyone is calm and capable produces a far better document than doing it during a crisis.
Keeping the document accessible when it matters
A POA that no one can find in an emergency doesn’t help. Once it’s signed, photograph it into the relevant family member’s MedKeep document vault, encrypted and accessible from your phone — and make sure the named decision-maker knows where to find it too.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a healthcare POA and an advance directive?
A healthcare power of attorney names a person to make decisions on your behalf. An advance directive states your own wishes in advance — many people have both.
When should you set up a healthcare power of attorney?
Common moments are a parent entering their 70s or 80s, a serious diagnosis, or before a major surgery — ideally before it’s urgently needed, while everyone can think clearly.
Where should you keep a signed healthcare POA document?
Somewhere accessible in an emergency. Photograph it into the relevant person’s MedKeep document vault, and make sure the named decision-maker also knows where to find it.
Try it with MedKeep — free
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