WHO DECIDES IF YOU CAN’T?

Medical Power Of Attorney (MPOA)
Every year two million people die in America. Approximately 70 percent of these people die after a decision is made to forgo life-sustaining treatment.

Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA) can help:
YOU protect your right to make medical choices that can affect your life.
YOUR FAMILY avoid the responsibility and stress of making difficult decisions.
Your Phvsician or Health Care Professional by providing guidelines for your care.

Montrose Memorial Hospital recommends that you create a Medical Power of Attorney, such as the one linked at the top of this page. Contrary to common understanding, in the state of Colorado neither your spouse nor any member of your family may have the legal right to make medical decisions for you unless you appoint them in a Medical Power of Attorney.  The hospital recommends that the person designated in your Medical Power of Attorney also sign, to ensure she/he is aware of what is expected.

What is a Medical Power of Attorney?
In a legal document called a Medical Power of Attorney, you identify someone to speak for you in any health-related situation in which you are no longer able to indicate your wishes. This person acts as your agent and helps to ensure that your medical wishes are considered. There are no limitations on the ability of the agent you designate to make medical decisions for you, except, as you want to impose. You can indicate what kinds of treatments or situations you do, or do not, want, either in the document designating the person to act as your agent or in separate written or oral communications with this person. A form for a medical power of attorney is provided at the top of this page.

What if I don't have a Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA)?
Because of pain, medications, or even unconsciousness, few people are alert until the moment they die. Yet, in Colorado no one other than you has a legal right to advise your doctors. Unless you appoint a MPOA, all of your family members must be in agreement, or a court gives that right. Without a Medical Power of Attorney treatments that the patient may not desire could continue, or you may not get the treatments you want. Your best safeguard is to select your own decision maker and to give this person instructions in advance.

Contact:
* The Case Management Department at MMH 970-240-7741

* www.partnershipforcaring.org 1-800-989-9455