A Health Care Surrogate designation a legal document in which you grant authority for another person to make medical decisions for you if you are mentally or physically incapable of doing so yourself.

A Living Will is a legal document in which you declare, to your family and/or friends and your medical providers, your intent to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment should you become in an end-of-life condition under which you cannot make this decision for yourself.

Both assist family, friends and medical providers with situations in which you cannot act or make decisions for yourself. Speak with an attorney if you have questions about a Living Will and Health Care Surrogate designation documents.

-Emily A. Helmick, Esq.