The law also says that individuals can add to or delete provisions in the standard living will. You are encouraged to complete a new form for a living will if you filled out one before 1992. Compared to a living will, a durable power of attorney may allow you to more fully express your wishes concerning care. It is more broadly applicable since it can apply to nearly any type or level of health care during periods of incapacitation. A durable power of attorney for health care is a document you can create to designate another person to make health care decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
Some restrictions do exist.
For example, a durable power of attorney cannot grant authority to consent to commitment to a treatment facility for the mentally ill. See our sample durable power of attorney . A durable power of attorney document delegates important responsibilities to another person, so you should be sure the person you designate has a good understanding of your wishes and is willing and able to take action on your behalf. In addition to designating a substitute decision maker, you can use a durable power of attorney to state your personal goals concerning care, specific procedures that should be refused, and criteria the decision maker should consider in making choices. You may feel confident that the people designated as decision makers by the law know your wishes well and would make decisions you would want.