substitute decision-maker

When a person is not mentally capable of making decisions, someone must make decisions for them. This person is called a substitute decision-maker (SDM). An SDM can make decisions about your personal care, health care, and medical treatments.  

If you have a Power of Attorney for Personal Care, your attorney is your SDM. If you have a guardian of the person, your guardian is your SDM, even if you have a Power of Attorney for Personal Care. If you do not have either of these, the law says who will be your SDM.