Health Care Proxies designate an agent to make health care decisions for you, in the event you cannot make them for yourself. Your agent may not make decisions for you if you are conscious and able to communicate your wishes to medical providers. Your agent can make life-ending decisions regarding the withdrawal of artificial hydration or nutrition only if your Health Care Proxy indicates your agent knows your wishes concerning those decisions.
Health Care Proxies
INTRODUCTION
HEALTH CARE PROXIES FAQs
Yes. You need a trusted person to be your voice in the event you are unable to make your own health care decisions. Any person over the age of eighteen (18) should appoint a health care agent.
Your agent should be someone you trust, for example a spouse, other family member, or trusted friend. You should choose someone who you believe will adhere to your wishes and instructions. A successor agent should be chosen in the event your primary agent is unable to act for any reason. It is imperative to discuss your wishes regarding your care, clearly and in detail, with your agent.
Yes. A Health Care Proxy does not expire (unless you have provided for an expiration date in the document) and continues as valid until you revoke it.
A Power of Attorney allows an agent to handle your financial affairs for you, but does not allow them to make health care decisions. A Health Care Proxy allows your agent to make health care decisions, but does not allow them to make financial decisions.
A Living Will is a legal document that specifies your wishes regarding your medical care. A Living Will does not designate an agent, but can provide important guidance to your Health Care Proxy agent when decisions have to be made regarding your health care. A Living Will can be a separate document or can be integrated into your Health Care Proxy.