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What You Can Cover in Your Health Care Directives
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Limiting Your Health Care Agent's Authority
Keep in mind that as long as you are able to understand and communicate your own wishes, your agent cannot override what you want. Your agent steps in only if you can no longer manage on your own.
In addition, as mentioned, you are permitted to restrict your agent's authority in any way that you like. For example, some people give their health care agent only the authority to carry out the health care wishes specified in their living will, and not to make other medical decisions for them.
Think carefully, however, before you add limiting language to your power of attorney. One of the most important reasons for appointing a health care agent is so that someone will be there to respond to the needs of your situation as it develops. Your medical needs may change in ways that you cannot now foresee, and an agent who has full power can act for you no matter what the circumstances.
Choosing Your Health Care Agent
If you need help picking the right person to oversee your medical care, see Choosing Your Health Care Agent.
FAQs
- What should my advance directive say?
- Whom should I select as my agent or proxy for health decisions?
- Is it legal to commit suicide?
- Is there a constitutional right to physician-assisted suicide?
- What happens if I do not have an advance directive?
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