It is not the easiest conversation to have, but making sure you have control over your healthcare decision when life takes a turn makes it an important one. A Power of Attorney is the written legal authorization that allows one person to act on the behalf of the other in legal matters. It often comes up in the healthcare field when a patient approaches the end of their life or has a procedure taking place. Many times, people think a spouse or a next-of-kin can take over the decision-making during such times. Chaplain John Hauser and Social Worker Erin Szakala from Door County Medical Center explain why that is a major misconception.

Hauser and Szakala recommend people have a Power of Attorney in place before they come into the hospital before a procedure or extended stay. If you do not have one, Hauser, Szakala, and other members of the Door County Medical Center team can walk you through the process. You can listen to the full conversation online by clicking on this link.