Glossary
Health care proxy
(helth kayr PRAK-see)
A type of advance directive that gives a person (called a proxy) the authority to make medical decisions for another person if that person is not able to make their own decisions. A proxy is usually a spouse, relative, friend, or lawyer who knows the person’s values, wishes, and treatment preferences. Also called durable power of attorney for health care and medical power of attorney.
Definition from the National Cancer Institute’s NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms.