A Medical Power of Attorney allows you to designate another person (your "Agent") to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make such decisions yourself sometime in the future.
A combination of these two documents is the usual recommendation. It is the most compreshensive and allows you to state your wishes and end of life treament and also designate someone to make health care decisions for you.
A Power of Attorney may be either durable or non-durable. A durable power of attorney remains in effect even if you become incompetent or incapable of handling your affairs. A non-durable power of attorney will not remain in effect during your incompetency.
Power of Attorney is either general or specific. A General Power of Attorney grants the Agent broad authority to act for you. A Special Power of Attorney grants the Agent limited authority to act in only specified situations, such as for the health care of a child while the parents are unavailable.
