Also called a health care power of attorney, this is a document that allows a person (the Agent) to make medical decisions for someone else (the Principal). The power of attorney can be effective either immediately or only when the principal is disabled, and ends when the power is revoked or the principal dies.

This form gives the Agent the power to consent to surgery, donate organs, and make hospital or medication decisions, and much more. To learn more about how powers of attorney work and the different types available from Bradford Publishing download the booklet, Using Powers of Attorney in Colorado.

Learning about health care power of attorney

A health care or medical power of attorney form is just one tool available for helping guide medical decisions when you are very ill. Others include a living will and a Do Not Resuscitate order. Whether you are writing so-called “advance directives” for yourself or a family member, Bradford’s booklet Planning Ahead: Living Wills and Other Advance Directives tells you everything you need to know about how these forms work alone and together, helping you make your wishes known before you are disabled.