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Original poster

Unsure about giving Power of Attorney- Health

4 replies

Orangesandlemons77 · 30/12/2024 17:16

I've recently given a health Power of Attorney to my DH and adult son. But I am now reconsidering this.

I've discovered with the recent 'in the news' headlines about having the right to end life in terminal illnesses, my DH and I have quite opposing views on this.

So, I'm feeling that it might be really difficult and am thinking of changing my mind over it and putting an 'advance directive' in my GP notes instead (for things like not wanting treatment for certain things.

Anyone in the same boat or with experience of this please?

OP posts:
Abbyk1980 · 30/12/2024 17:20

I have both power of attorney for health and finances set up with my best mate it can only be acted on when you no longer have your full faculties in your mind so basically when you cannot advocate for yourself the only reason in doing a power-of-attorney is so that if anything happens to you and you cannot speak out then your husband will do your wishes. Hopefully you will have spoken to him before you do lose your mind faculties .

SafeguardingSocialWorker · 30/12/2024 17:21

You can do/have both.

I regularly look at people's LPOAs as part if my job and you can be very specific in your Health and Welfare LPOA about which decisions you want people to take and how. You can exclude the LPOA from being able to make decisions in particular areas if you want (e.g. around medical treatment) but allow them to make decisions for example about arranging for carers to go in or choosing a care home.

In regards to the assisted dying issue its been very clear that only people who have full mental capacity will be eligible so it could never be a decision made on your behalf by your LPOA.

Abbyk1980 · 30/12/2024 17:21

Orangesandlemons77 · 30/12/2024 17:16

I've recently given a health Power of Attorney to my DH and adult son. But I am now reconsidering this.

I've discovered with the recent 'in the news' headlines about having the right to end life in terminal illnesses, my DH and I have quite opposing views on this.

So, I'm feeling that it might be really difficult and am thinking of changing my mind over it and putting an 'advance directive' in my GP notes instead (for things like not wanting treatment for certain things.

Anyone in the same boat or with experience of this please?

You can ask your gp for a dnr to do not resuscitate to. You can remove your husband off your power off at tourney if you want just leave your son

Abbyk1980 · 30/12/2024 17:22

SafeguardingSocialWorker · 30/12/2024 17:21

You can do/have both.

I regularly look at people's LPOAs as part if my job and you can be very specific in your Health and Welfare LPOA about which decisions you want people to take and how. You can exclude the LPOA from being able to make decisions in particular areas if you want (e.g. around medical treatment) but allow them to make decisions for example about arranging for carers to go in or choosing a care home.

In regards to the assisted dying issue its been very clear that only people who have full mental capacity will be eligible so it could never be a decision made on your behalf by your LPOA.

That’s what they are deciding right now you are right. I have set it up so that my best mate will make the decisions for me when I need it but she knows what I think about everything and I don’t want to be resuscitated if I got into a vegetative state.

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