A healthcare proxy is a type of advance directive that designates a person to make decisions about your medical care and treatment in the event that you are unable to do so yourself. This could be due to something like an illness or an injury.
Having a healthcare proxy in place can help to ensure that your wishes are carried out, even if you are unable to communicate them yourself.
A healthcare proxy is also known as a Healthcare Power of Attorney, A Living Will, or a Durable Medical Power of Attorney.
You can appoint anyone you trust to be your healthcare proxy, such as a family member or close friend. They will have the legal authority to make decisions about your medical care and treatment, including whether or not to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment. It is important to have a healthcare proxy in place in case of an emergency, as they will be able to make decisions quickly without having to consult with you first.
How Do You Set Up A Healthcare Proxy?
You can name anyone you trust as your healthcare proxy, as long as they are over the age of 18 and not currently your healthcare provider.
To set up a healthcare proxy, you will need to complete a healthcare proxy form. This form will ask you to list the individual you are appointing as your healthcare proxy, as well as any alternate choices.
You will also need to sign and date the form in front of a witness.
Once the form is complete, it should be kept in a safe place where your designated proxy can easily access it.
Although you don’t necessarily need an attorney to set up a healthcare proxy, it can be helpful to have one involved in the process.
An attorney can provide guidance on how to fill out the necessary paperwork and can ensure that your wishes are properly documented.
Additionally, an attorney can be a valuable resource if there are any questions or disputes about your healthcare proxy down the road.
If you have any questions about setting up a healthcare proxy, speak to your healthcare provider or to your attorney. They will be able to provide you with more information and assistance.
How Do You Choose A Healthcare Proxy?
When choosing a healthcare proxy, it is important to consider someone who you trust implicitly and who is comfortable making decisions on your behalf.
Remember that this person will be responsible for ensuring that your wishes are carried out in the event that you are unable to do so yourself. In certain cases, they may hold your life in their hands!
As such, they should be aware of your views on treatment, end-of-life care, and other health-related matters.
It is also important to choose someone who lives close by, as they may need to be involved in your care on a day-to-day basis.
Finally, before appointing them, be sure to have a conversation with your proxy about your wishes to make sure they are comfortable making decisions for you and are willing to follow through and carry them out.
