What is the difference between a Living Will and a Power of Attorney for Health Care?

A Living Will allows you to make statements about choices you would want if you had a terminal illness or were in a persistent vegetative state. It directs physicians whether to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment or a feeding tube if you develop an illness or injury that cannot be cured and your death is imminent. It does not give authority to anyone to make health care decisions on your behalf. For example, if you needed 24 hour/day nursing care in another facility such as a nursing home, a court supervised guardianship and protective placement proceeding would be required. This can be a long and costly process. Back to top.  more

A living will deals only with the use of life-prolonging measures. It takes effect only when your death is very near or when you are in a vegetative state. A power of attorney for health care goes into effect when you can no longer make health care decisions. You do not have to be close to death or in a vegetative state. The power of attorney for health care allows another person to speak for you and make health care decisions for you. The type of decision this person can make depends upon the extent of authority you give him or her.  more

A living will is a document that tells your physician to either provide, or not to allow, or even take away life-sustaining procedures if you are seriously sick and close to dying. The power of attorney for health care lets you appoint someone you trust as the person you want to make health care decisions for you if you cannot do so yourself. It also gives them your directions so they can honor your wishes.  more