Law and data protection
lasting power of attorney
In short and in plain language
With a lasting power of attorney, you choose who may decide for you.
This applies when you can no longer decide yourself, for example about your health.
An advance directive is something else. It says which treatment you want.
For a care service, it shows whom it can talk to about the care.
Definition
A lasting power of attorney names the person who may represent someone who can no longer decide, for example in health matters. It differs from an advance directive, which records wishes about treatment. For care services it can clarify with whom questions about care are discussed.