The forms
There are two legally recognised forms that can help you explain who and what is important for you in the future. They will give the people you trust and your doctor the information and power to act as you would want.
The forms can operate together or alone to make sure everybody understands your wishes.
An Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives someone you trust the authority to make personal, health and financial decisions on your behalf if you are not able to make decisions yourself.
An Enduring Power of Attorney can be used to choose someone to make decisions on your behalf about medical treatments, but you could also use an Advance Health Directive to describe specific health care choices or complex requirements.
The Advance Health Directive is a legal document which outlines what’s important to you about your medical treatment and care in the event that you can’t make or communicate decisions. You can also choose a person to speak for you about your future health care choices using a particular section of the Advance Health Directive form.
