Not normally. A Durable Power of Attorney authorizes your agent (called an “attorney-in-fact”) primarily to conduct financial transactions on your behalf. You should execute a Health Care Power of Attorney so your “health care agent” can make medical decisions for you when you are not able to do so for yourself. While a Durable Power of Attorney can be combined with a Health Care Power of Attorney in a single document, I recommend separate documents as the functions and settings for each are very different. Please call the office for an appointment so that we can sit down together to discuss all of your estate planning needs. Your Powers of Attorney and all other estate planning documents must be signed by you before you become incapacitated, so you should not wait until there is an emergency.
Michael J. Kemmy
Board Certified Specialist in Elder Law