- 1). Choose a trusted family member or a close trusted friend to act on your behalf if you cannot make medical decisions for yourself. Giving them a medical power of attorney allows them make important decisions for you, even if you have a living will completed. Make sure this person is mentally sound enough to make the decisions that you yourself would make.
- 2). Ask the chosen person to be your medical power of attorney. Explain to them that it is only for emergency purposes, only when you cannot make those decisions. Tell this person if there is a living will already prepared, and talk to them about what types of medical procedures you find acceptable. Do you wish to be kept alive in a vegetated state or be kept alive with mechanical needs?
- 3). Visit your attorney and have her draw up the medical power of attorney. Supply the attorney with the name, address and other contact information, as this is a legal document. Once you have the legal documents, you need to place a copy in a safe place, such as a safe box, give one to your primary care physician as well as send a copy to the person you have chosen to be your power of attorney.
- 4). Place your copy of the power of attorney in a safe place, either a fireproof filing cabinet or a safety deposit box. Make sure your emergency contact and at least one other close person knows where you keep the power of attorney, and how to access it.
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