Does lasting power of attorney cover health and welfare?

The law of Lasting Power of Attorney was created in 2007. Lasting Power of Attorney lets you give one or more trusted people (attorneys) the ability to make decisions on your behalf. This means that you have control over what happens to you, even if you are unable to communicate decisions yourself. To get Lasting Power of Attorney, you must be above 18 and have the ability to make decisions at the time of making the Lasting Power of Attorney. Some of the most important decisions to be made are those regarding medical or health treatment. So, does lasting power of attorney cover health and welfare?

Does lasting power of attorney cover health and welfare?

There are two types of lasting power of attorney:

Lasting Power of Attorney for financial affairs

Lasting Power of Attorney for health and welfare

Lasting power of attorney for health and welfare covers any decisions that could affect your health care, medical treatment or even daily concerns such as your diet or daily routine. When you make your lasting power of attorney, you will leave instructions for the dedicated people to follow that will guide their decisions regarding your care.

What decisions can attorneys make about health and welfare?

If you are unable to make decisions regarding your health and welfare, your attorneys can instruct care providers on how to provide your care. Lasting Power of Attorneys will follow instructions that you give them, so every decision that you want them to be able to make can be stated when you make your Lasting Power of Attorney. Some decisions that attorneys could make include:

Decisions about life-sustaining treatment

Where you are cared for

What type of care you will receive

Your diet

How you are dressed

All decisions made by your attorneys must be to your benefit and should always follow the guidance that you give them. Your attorneys will also be able to make decisions regarding your will.

How to create a Lasting Power of Attorney for health and welfare

Before creating a Lasting Power of Attorney, you will need to decide who to allocate as your attorneys. Attorneys must be over the age of 18. You should choose a close family member, partner or friend that you trust and should be able to fully understand and respect your wishes. It is also important that your attorneys have the capacity to make decisions when the time comes.

To make a Lasting Power of Attorney, you will need to fill in an LPA form. The forms are created by the OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium) and can be sent to you via post, downloaded from their website or completed online. Once you have filled in the form, it must be registered with the OGC. Once it has been registered, you must make a one-time payment. The registration can take up to 3 months and the Lasting Power of Attorney can only be used after this has been fully completed.

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