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Content is anchored to trusted sources where available, but Compass has not yet been clinically reviewed. It provides general information rather than medical advice.

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Care and support systems

Power of attorney

A legal document naming someone to make decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself.

What it means

Usually two separate things: one covering money and property, and one covering health and personal decisions. It has to be set up while you are still able to make the decision to set it up, which is why it is raised early.

Why you might hear it

  • It comes up alongside advance care planning.
  • The names, forms and rules differ by country and by state.

People who may help

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.