Download Power of Attorney Clinic - Northwest Justice Project

Power of
Attorney
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Participant Welcome
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Power of Attorney Clinic
Welcome to the Power of Attorney Clinic. During this clinic you will learn about Powers of
Attorney and Health Care Directive documents. These important legal forms allow you to
choose someone to speak for you regarding your medical and financial decisions, and to
express what end-of-life care you want. You will also have the opportunity to complete your
own Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive documents.
The first part of our program will be a series of videos that describe the legal forms. The second
part of our program will be an opportunity for you to complete the forms.
Contents
Legal Forms Overview ..................................................................................................................... 1
Medical Procedure Descriptions ..................................................................................................... 2
Other Health Care Directives .......................................................................................................... 3
Legal Forms Overview
Durable Power of Attorney for Finances
 You choose someone you trust with your money (your “agent”) to act on your behalf
and help you with your money, property and belongings.
 You can give your agent the power to do things like pay your bills, take money out of
your bank account, or buy and sell your property.
 If you make your power of attorney “durable”, your agent can keep to helping you even
if you become sick or injured and cannot make decisions for yourself.
 You can still make your own decisions about your finances.
 You can change or cancel your power of attorney at any time.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
 You choose someone you trust with your health care (your “agent”) to act on your
behalf and help you with health care decisions.
 You can give your agent the power to do things like access your medical records and
approve medical treatment.
 If you make your power of attorney “durable”, your agent can keep helping you even if
you become sick or injured and cannot make decisions for yourself.
 You can still make your own decisions about your health care.
 You can change or cancel your power of attorney at any time.
Participant Welcome Packet
©Seattle University School of Law Clinical Program & Northwest Justice Project
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Health Care Directive
 A health care directive is sometimes called a “living will”.
 You choose the end-of-life medical procedures you do not wish to have if you become
terminally ill or permanently unconscious.
 The types of treatment you can reject include feeding tubes, ventilators, IV hydration,
and CPR.
 You can also express your general values regarding your health care in this document.
 You can still make your own decisions as long as you are able.
 You can change or cancel the health care directive at any time.
Medical Procedure Descriptions
In the Health Care Directive, you will identify medical procedures that you do not wish to have
if you become terminally ill or permanently unconscious. We recommend that you talk to your
medical provider about these procedures.

Feeding Tubes & IV Hydration. A medical procedure where you are given nutrients and
fluids through a tube placed directly into your stomach, upper intestine, or vein to
supplement or replace ordinary eating and drinking.

Ventilation. A medical procedure where a machine called a respirator or ventilator
forces air into your lungs to support or replace the function of the lungs. The ventilator
is attached to a tube inserted in your nose or mouth and down into your windpipe.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). A medical procedure where someone else makes
your heart and lungs work by compressing your chest and forcing air into your lungs
when your heart and/or breathing stops. Electric shock and drugs may also be used to
stimulate your heart.

Blood Dialysis. A medical procedure where a machine filters harmful wastes, salt and
excess fluid from your blood when your kidneys stop working.

Blood Transfusion. A medical procedure where donated blood is given to you through
an intravenous line to replace lost or contaminated blood.
Participant Welcome Packet
©Seattle University School of Law Clinical Program & Northwest Justice Project
Page | 2
Other Health Care Directives
There are two other health care directives available for you if you have been diagnosed with a
mental health disability, Alzheimer’s disease, and/or dementia. These directives allow you to
make important decisions about your future health care, including what kinds of medications
you prefer, what treatment facilities work best for you, how you want your agent and loved
ones to deal with personal decisions like driving privileges and intimate relationships . These
are lengthier directives that require more conversation and consideration, which is why they
are not included in the clinic. However, you can access the forms online and take your time
making these important decisions.
Mental Health Directive
A mental health directive allows you to make decisions in advance about your mental health
treatment and values, including preferred medications, who are your trusted health care
providers, advance consent to short-term admission to inpatient treatment, and what
treatments and care help you most to improve your mental health and avoid hospitalization. A
Mental Health Directive is especially important during times when you cannot make decisions
for yourself due to your mental illness. You can find a Mental Health Directive on the
Washington Law Help website: www.washingtonlawhelp.org.
Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia Mental Health Advance Directive
An Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia Mental Health Advance Directive is a mental health directive
for people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and/or dementia, who have a
family history of Alzheimer’s disease, or who simply want to plan for this possibility. The
directive allows you to document your wishes related to where to live, how to finance your
care, your driving preferences, your sexual relationships, and many other issues while you have
the capacity to do so. The directive can be a helpful tool for talking with your friends and family
about your wishes for the future. You can find an Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia Mental Health
Advance Directive published by Compassion & Choices of Washington on the Washington Law
Help website: www.washingtonlawhelp.org.
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Thank you!
Thank you for coming to the clinic today. We hope you find this clinic useful and you feel
courageous and empowered in your decision to plan ahead for the future. Your planning is not
only a gift to yourself, but also to your loved ones. We are so glad to have the opportunity to
assist you.
Participant Welcome Packet
©Seattle University School of Law Clinical Program & Northwest Justice Project
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