What is a Lasting Power of Attorney for end of life care?

Answer

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a document confirming that someone (the attorney) has the authority to make decisions about your finances, health and welfare.

In the event that you lose your mental capacity to make decisions or simply no longer want to handle your own affairs, an attorney will be given the authority to make decisions for you. This could include where you are cared for or live, your daily routine and diet, medical care and treatment options. 

You would have to choose if your attorney is given the right to make decisions about life-sustaining treatment such as artificial ventilation or CPR. If this right is not given to your attorney, it would then be up to the medical team in charge of your care to decide the most appropriate life-sustaining treatment. 

In this case, an attorney cannot demand treatment on the person’s behalf but has the right to access the person’s medical records. If a care manager or doctor thinks that an attorney is not acting in the person’s best interests, they can challenge their decisions.