Advanced Directives

Question 1

What is a Living Will?

Answer 1

A document with instructions about future medical treatment and end-of-life care in the event they become unable to communicate or make decisions for themselves

A Living Will is often used to express a person’s wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment.

Question 2

What does POA stand for and what is its purpose?

Answer 2

POA stands for Power of Attorney, a document for listing the person or persons to make financial, legal, and business decisions should a patient become unable to make informed decisions for self.

This document allows designated individuals to act on behalf of the patient.

Question 3

What does MPOA stand for and what is its purpose?

Answer 3

MPOA is the Medical Power of Attorney; it similar to POA but focuses on medical decisions the person may be called a health care agent, surrogate, attorney-in-fact, or proxy.

MPOA specifically pertains to medical decisions.

Question 4

What is the Health Care Surrogate Act (755 ILCS 40/25)?

Answer 4

An act that allows a designated person (surrogate) to make medical decisions for someone who cannot make/communicate their own decisions in the absence of advanced directives

It outlines the process for making medical decisions without court order or judicial involvement.

Question 5

List the order of priority in the algorithm of decision making.

Answer 5

Guardian
Spouse
Adult son/daughter
Parent
Adult brother/sister
Adult grandchild
Close friend
Guardian of the estate

This hierarchy ensures that those closest to the patient have a say in healthcare decisions.

Question 6

True or False: A Living Will allows for the designation of a healthcare agent.

Answer 6

False.

A Living Will provides instructions about medical care but does not designate an agent; that function is served by a Power of Attorney.