A healthcare power of attorney (or healthcare proxy) is a legal document naming a trusted person to make medical decisions on someone's behalf if they lose the capacity to decide for themselves. It complements a living will: documents cannot anticipate every situation, but a well-chosen agent who knows the person's values can. The document must be signed while the person still has decision-making capacity, which makes early completion essential after a dementia diagnosis. A separate financial power of attorney covers money and property matters. Choosing an agent, discussing wishes with them in depth, and formalizing the document with proper legal guidance protects the person's voice for the whole course of illness.
A healthcare power of attorney names a trusted person to make medical decisions on someone's behalf if they lose the ability to decide for themselves. It must be signed while the person still has the…