Do the adults in your household have health care proxies? Here’s why it’s a good idea

Have you created health care proxies for all adults in your household?

The National Institute on Aging defines a health care proxy “as a person who can make health care decisions for you if you are unable to communicate these yourself.”

You may also hear a health care proxy called an agent or surrogate. The legal document — also known as a durable power of attorney for health care — lets you appoint another person to make health care decisions for you if you cannot make those decisions or speak for yourself.

Here’s why every adult should have a health care proxy:

1. Empowering Your Voice: None of us want to imagine being unable to speak for ourselves during a medical crisis. However, accidents, sudden illnesses, or even aging can leave us incapacitated and unable to make decisions about our own care. A health care proxy allows you to designate a trusted individual to make medical decisions on your behalf, ensuring that your voice is heard even when you cannot speak for yourself.
2. Ensuring Your Wishes are Respected: We all have unique beliefs, values, and preferences when it comes to medical treatment. By appointing a health care proxy, you can ensure that someone who understands your values and wishes is advocating for you in times of need. Whether it’s decisions about life-sustaining treatments, end-of-life care, or other medical interventions, your proxy can make choices that align with your preferences.
3. Reducing Family Conflict: Medical crises can be incredibly stressful for families, especially when there is uncertainty about what the patient would want. Having a designated health care proxy can help alleviate this burden by providing clarity and direction during difficult times. Knowing that you have chosen someone to act on your behalf can ease the decision-making process for your loved ones and reduce the likelihood of conflicts or disagreements.

You should have signed health care proxies for all adult family members living with you and make sure these documents are easily accessible in the event they are needed.

Don’t forget to have a health care proxy for any children in college as well. Under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rules, once a child becomes an adult, his or her parents cannot access their medical information without permission. Without a signed health care proxy, you will not be able to make medical decisions for your child in the event he or she is unable to make them.