Do you know who will make your health care decisions if you can’t? Life can change quickly and accidents can happen. So its important to make a plan and be prepared, just in case.
What is a Health Care Agent?
A health care agent is person you pick to make your health care decisions if you are not able to. You can tell us who your Health Care Agent is by completing a legal form called a Health Care Proxy. Sometimes the term health care proxy is used interchangeably as the name of the completed form and the actual person (agent) you identified on the form.
This is different from an emergency contact or someone given access to your medical information; those individuals might be involved in your care, but they don’t have the legal power to make decisions that reflect your goals and preferences.
Why You Need a Health Care Agent
If you are over 18, it is a good idea to pick someone who can make health care decisions for you if you are sick, in an accident or if you are not able to make or communicate your health care choices. Your chosen Health Care Agent will only be able to make medical decisions for me IF your doctor says in writing (activation) that you are too sick or otherwise not able (incapacitated) to make or share your own decisions.
Choosing the Right Person
A health care proxy form can identify just about anyone – friend or relative, sibling or parent. The only person you can’t choose is your health care provider. But while anyone could get the nod, choosing the right person will help ensure your wishes are carried out consistently.
Consider the following when choosing a Health Care Agent:
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Reliability: Being a Health Care Agent is a big responsibility, and you should select someone you trust. They should be able to handle complicated decisions and clearly communicate with your care team.
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Availability: A close friend might have your best interests in mind, but if they are generally unavailable, they won’t be much use as a Health Care Agent. Consider someone who is responsive and can make themselves available on short notice.
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Alignment: Your Health Care Agent needs to understand the what, why and when of your health care wishes. It’s not enough to choose a Health Care Agent– you need someone who can act on your behalf to answer questions and make decisions that align with your wishes.
The most proactive way to formalize your decision is to sign a Health Care Proxy form when you come to CHA (though you can verbally assign your proxy if needed). You may also find the form online here [link to form, reference language].
You will need to be present to sign the documentation (along with two witnesses, who can be members of your care team), which will then be uploaded to your medical record for future reference.
Ensuring Your Proxy Is Ready to Act
Communicating your wishes to your proxy is among the most important health care conversations you will have.
It’s not an easy task but here are some resources that can help you along the way. .
In the end, most people will never need to rely on their Health Care Agent. But being prepared is often the best thing you can do for your health. Choosing a Health Care Agent puts you in position to get the care you need – even when you’re not able to make your own decisions.