There are important differences between Enduring Powers of Attorney and a Power of Attorney. Both are designed that one person (the 'principal') can give another person (the 'attorney') the legal authority to make decisions on their behalf.

A Power of Attorney becomes invalid if the principal loses mental capacity, such as in dementia. However an Enduring Power of Attorney continues to be effective even if the principal loses mental capacity.

Previously, an Enduring Power of Attorney only allowed the attorney to make decisions of a financial nature. A person can now choose to appoint someone as an attorney for their personal and health related affairs as well as their financial affairs.