A Healthcare Power of Attorney and a living will both address medical decision-making, but they do so in different ways. A Healthcare Power of Attorney appoints a trusted person to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. A living will documents your personal preferences for end-of-life care — such as whether you prefer natural passing or continued medical intervention — and takes effect in specific medical situations. Having both documents in place provides comprehensive incapacity protection and helps ease the burden placed on family members at an already difficult time.