Proxy Directive

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Proxy Directive

A legal document giving an assignee the ability to make medical decisions on behalf of the assignor in the event of the assignor's mental or physical incapacity. A proxy directive is made while the assignor is still competent, and comes into effect at incapacity. A proxy directive gives far-reaching powers; for example, the form for a proxy directive in the state of New Jersey states allows the assignee the ability to "provide, withhold or withdraw life-sustaining measures" from the assignor. It is important to note that a proxy directive does not allow the assignee access to the assignor's finances, nor obliges the assignee to pay for any treatment. See also: Power of attorney.

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References in periodicals archive ?

Proxy directive (Power of Attorney): written document that legally appoints someone to make decisions regarding property, financial affairs and/or personal care.

Do nurses need more advance directive education?

If the patient does not have a court-appointed guardian and has a valid proxy directive, the proxy will be the patient's surrogate decision-maker as established by the directive.

The Manitoba college of physicians and surgeons position statement on withholding and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (2008): three problems and a solution

A durable power of attorney for health care is the most common type of proxy directive. This power of attorney allows the designation of a surrogate medical decision maker of the patient's choosing.

Advance directives: a call to action

For all participants, dependent measures included attitudes toward end-of-life planning, comfort with end-of-life planning, knowledge about the health care proxy directive, and knowledge about the role of the agent.

Communication between older people and their health care agents: results of an intervention

Proxy directives like the Tennessee Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPAHC) or Health Care Agent form may be a better document, especially for those that would rather defer decision making to another.