Who speaks for you? Choosing a medical power of attorney

(Aging Untold) — Staying in control as you age can mean choosing someone you trust to make health care decisions if you can’t. The key is picking a person who knows your wishes and will keep them front and center. The Aging Untold experts are talking about what a medical power of attorney covers, how to set one up and why you should have the document with you. What a medical power of attorney can decide Sam Cradduck, a gerontologist, said the person you name holds a wide range of decision-making power. “They can decide whether you’re going to have surgery,” Cradduck said. “They can decide whether or not you’re going to go into a skilled facility in a rehab after a surgery. They can decide if you’re going to go into an assisted living. They can decide if you’re going to be at home, who your caregivers are going to be.” The person you choose needs to be someone who can set their emotions aside, she said. “You need to make sure that this person knows you, knows your wishes, will honor you