During estate planning, you will provide health care wishes besides how you would like your assets to be distributed. Thus, one of your documents will be a health care power of attorney, which allows you to designate a representative to make medical decisions on your behalf when you are unable to. For instance, informing physicians of the treatments they can administer and those they can’t, and so on.
Here are four things to consider when choosing to help you pick a reliable party:
1. Trust
Medical decisions are crucial. Thus, you should trust the party you pick will follow your wishes and ensure they are fulfilled. If you can trust someone with your life, they should be your choice.
2. Location
It will be best to have a power of attorney who lives near you. You may fall sick at any time, and a medical procedure may need to be performed immediately. It can be difficult for someone supposed to oversee what’s happening, consult with doctors and see to your care from a distance.
3. Competency
The party you choose doesn’t have to be a doctor, but they should understand the medical processes listed in your wishes. You can help them access this knowledge by connecting them to specialists, particularly if you have an existing condition.
4. Assertiveness
Medical decisions can be complicated. Everyone may have an opinion about the best treatments to be administered, which may be against your wishes. Thus, choose someone assertive enough to hold their ground under pressure. You can tell someone is assertive and can clearly communicate by studying how they make decisions in their life.
The healthcare surrogate you choose should be reliable. It may be best to get some experienced legal guidance to make informed decisions.