"Definition of Special Medical Power of Attorney"

Definition: A legal document that allows an individual to appoint someone else (proxy or health proxy) to make medical or health care decisions, in the event the individual becomes unable to make and/or communicate such decisions personally.

A document that gives another person legal authority to act on your behalf. The person creating the document is called the principal, and the person to whom you give this authority is called your attorney-in-fact. If you make a durable power of attorney, the document will continue in effect even if you become incapacitated.

An appointed stand-in with the legal authority to make medical decisions.

The written form is called "durable power of attorney."

NOTE: This document provides for power to make medically related decisions only and does not imply appointed power to make legal or financial decisions.

Also Known as: Healthcare proxy, Health Care Proxy, Proxy

Sources:
ADAM's Illustrated Health Encyclopedia. Advanced Directives. At: http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/001908.htm
Ohio Hospice & Palliative Care Organization. Health Care Glossary. Medical Power of Attorney. At: http://www.ohpco.org/health_care_glossary.htm
Nolo. Glossary. Power of Attorney. Look under "P" at: http://www.nolo.com/glossary.cfm