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Power of Attorney Day


On Tuesday, March 27, 2018, the NIU Health Advocacy Clinic will host its annual Power of Attorney (POA) Day. This event provides the guests of PADS and TLC as well as the general Hesed House Community an opportunity to complete a Power of Attorney for Healthcare, free of charge.

What is a Power of Attorney for Healthcare? A Power of Attorney is a document that allows you to designate a person of your choice, called a health care agent, to make health care decisions for you in the event that you are unable. For example, if an accident left you in a coma, then your healthcare agent would decide on your behalf whether life-saving measures should be used and if so, which ones. The most important part of picking an agent is ensuring you select someone that knows what your medical wishes are and that you trust will implement your wishes in case you are unable.

A Power of Attorney is an important document to have for oneself. This document trumps any influence of family members, friends, etc. The person you designate will have sole authority on what healthcare measures are taken when you are incapacitated. A POA safeguards against any unwanted persons influencing your medical treatment and reduces the risk that unwelcome healthcare measures are taken when you are not able to make those decisions yourself.

In case you do not have anyone you can designate as your agent, you can inform your doctors or healthcare providers of your medical wishes which can be included in your medical records.
Illinois law expressly states that your POA may be revoked by the individual signing the Power of Attorney at any time, for any reason. This is important to note because even if you are NOT in a coherent state, you still have the right to revoke the POA declaration.

Providing legal access to those, such as the guests of Hesed House, that may not have or struggle to obtain legal resources is important as these individuals deserve the same right to dignity when they are debilitated. POA Day provides guests with an opportunity to have a voice and an advocate when they are unable to speak for themselves. Building bridges to equal access in your community is one of the most important works you can do, and I am so excited to be a part of this initiative.

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