In North Carolina, you can name a person to make medical care decisions for you if you later become unable to decide yourself. This person is called your health care agent. A Health Care Power of Attorney (HPCA) is the legal document in which you name who you want your agent to be. You tell your heath care agent what medical treatments you would want and what you would not want. Your health care agent then knows what choices you would make.
When deciding on your health care agent, you should choose an adult you trust and discuss your wishes with that person before you put them in writing. You should choose an adult who will follow your wishes when you cannot make decisions for yourself.
Download a blank Health Care Power of Attorney form.*
* This document complies with North Carolina law regarding advance directives. Other versions of this document are available from various sources.
