Women also should complete a
health care proxy form, which designates someone to advocate for what they want their health care to be when they can't speak for themselves.
Also called a medical power of attorney or
health care proxy, this is someone chosen to make health care decisions in the event the individual becomes mentally or physically unable.
The vast majority of those who have prepared a written document, according to the poll, have shared a copy with a family member or loved one (84 percent); a similar number has shared it with their designated
health care proxy (86 percent).
Our speakers discussed
Health Care Proxy Law and Living Wills, which are documents that you can complete, while you are competent, appointing someone to act in your stead should you not be able to communicate your wishes to doctors in the event that you become incompetent, and the Family Health Care Decisions Act, which establishes the authority of a substitute or proxy (often referred to as a surrogate) to make medical treatment decisions when a patient has no capacity and there is no
health care proxy in place, as well as the Power of Attorney form, which authorizes your agent to make financial decisions on your behalf should you be unwilling or unable to do so.
There are two types of advance directives: a
health care proxy and a living will.
Gary will discuss the necessary legal documents everyone should have, including wills, powers of attorney,
health care proxy's, trusts, etc., and will answer questions.
In one scenario, the client agrees to complete advance care planning documents such as a living will or a
health care proxy as part of an effort to order their affairs for the future, often in combination with making a will.
Depending on where you live, the person you appoint may be called your "agent," "attorney-in-fact," "
health care proxy," "health care surrogate," or something similar.
Donee, agent, or
health care proxy: legally appointed decision maker