Healthcare Power of Attorney (HCPA)
Candlefocus EditorUnlike other legal documents that can be created without consulting a lawyer, HCPA’s are state-specific. This means that the required form and regulations vary from state to state. Moreover, when state residency changes, the HCPA must be changed so it is suitable to the new state’s rules and regulations.
The HCPA can usually be carried out by a lawyer, but one can also complete the paperwork independently. In any case, it is essential to use the correct form from the correct state. If a form is defective, it could lead to all kinds of problems, including rejection by healthcare providers or, in the worst cases, being declared invalid. Furthermore, opting-in to create an HCPA allows a person to detail specific desires regarding medical treatment. This includes medically-assisted feeding, life support, and other treatments that allow a person to choose how their life and care should look.
Another advantage of creating an HCPA is that it eliminates much of the emotional burden that comes with making difficult decisions during a medical crisis. If an individual knows they have appointed an HCPA and made end-of-life wishes in advance, they don’t have to worry about their family or friends making grave decisions in such a stressful situation. This helps to lessen the family conflict that may come from widely differing opinions.
The HCPA is an extremely important legal document to have and should not be ignored regardless of age. This document is especially important for older people, as physical or mental decline becomes more and more likely over time. An HCPA will eliminate the confusion and mental anguish associated with not knowing what to do when sudden medical decisions must be made.
In short, an HCPA is a legal document to ensure that medical decisions are made in accordance with a person’s wishes in the event that they are unable to make them themselves. As it can put family members in difficult positions and require making tough choices, entrusting this responsibility to someone reliable should be a priority.