You can set the course of your health care future through a Living Will and a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. With a Living Will, formally known as a Declaration in this state, you enumerate what types of medical procedures you do and do not consent to receive at the end of your life. You can also specify any exceptions that would alter those choices.
With the power of attorney you can choose an Attorney-In-Fact to make all your other health care decisions. In your choice of this individual, local availability and a willingness to care for you without payment is highly recommended. Under law, he or she can’t be a minor, primary care physician, and anyone else professionally involved in your health care; but these restrictions are do not apply to adults who are related to you. Of prime importance is that your choice for Attorney-In-Fact must be someone who holds ethical and moral values that are very similar to yours, as they relate to health care. He or she must also be able to stand firm in confrontations with others who may hold dissimilar views.