A Power of Attorney ("POA") is a document that allows someone else to manage your affairs while you’re still living.  A general “Durable” Power of Attorney can give authority to a friend or family member to allow them to make both medical and financial decisions for you.  It allows them to buy and sell assets, pay bills, make gifts, decide about your medical care or long term care plans, and many other things.  There are also “Limited” powers of attorney that can give someone specific authority over some of your affairs but not all of them.