To assist your family in making decisions. To make sure your wishes are followed if they are different from your family's wishes. A durable power of attorney for healthcare is not the same as a regular power of attorney. You must have a specific durable power of attorney for healthcare if you want the person with your power of attorney to make healthcare decisions for you. In it, you designate a person who makes medical decisions for you if you are too ill and unable to make them.
Most people choose to have a family member or close friend be the decision maker.
Many healthcare providers suggest that all people, no matter what their age or health, should have either a durable power of attorney for healthcare or a living will. Make sure your healthcare provider also has a copy of any legal documents that affect your healthcare.