How to Establish a Health Care Proxy

Who will speak for you if there ever comes a time when you cannot speak for yourself regarding your medical treatment and care? A health care proxy agent can be established to ensure that your views and wishes will be communicated to medical personnel and your family in the event you become ill and cannot communicate clearly or legally for yourself. Health care proxy laws typically vary from state to state, but are generally simple to enact. Review this article now and examine your options while you are still in a position to make these decisions. Sudden and/or tragic illness waits for no one. Establishing a health care proxy agent not only protects you, but your loved ones as well. Do not put it off-start the process today!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Knowledge of the health care proxy laws for the state(s) in which you live
• A review of all the pertinent forms
• A in-depth discussion concerning your health care wishes with several people, including the person who will be your health care proxy agent

1. 
    
   Seriously discuss your wishes with someone you trust to carry them out if the need arises.

   No one likes to think about being incapacitated by sudden or critical illness, but it does happen on a daily basis. One of the ways to established a legal method for your beliefs and wishes to be carried out in the event of physical or mental incapacity is to establish a health care proxy agent on the mandated form(s) for every state that you reside in.

2. Find out what your state's health care proxy laws are and the associated requirements by doing an Internet search and contacting your primary health care provider or your local hospital. Generally, the forms are free and available on the Internet. You can also review the American Bar Association's website (see Resources below).

3. Make a list of what you would want done to your body in the event you are unable to make the decision for yourself. Remember, this is about you. A health care proxy form can also help your family and loved ones in times of crisis to understand your beliefs and wishes.

4. Decide who will be your health care proxy agent. Remember, it is wise to select a person or person(s) who are geographically close to where you live. If your health care proxy lives across the country, very little may be accomplished due to travel constraints.

5. Fill out your health care proxy form as dictated by your state law with your chosen health care proxy agent in attendance. Typically, these forms do not need to witnessed or notarized, but you should double-check your individual state law.

6. Send copies of your completed health care proxy to all of your medical providers, a trusted family member(s), your health care proxy agent and any other individual(s) you feel should have it (such as a clergy person).

Tips & Warnings

• Planning ahead for your health care needs is a tremendous "gift" to those you love.
• If your thoughts or views change from what you have listed, simply update your health care proxy form and send along to all the appropriate people.
• This article is for informational and/or educational purposes only.

Resources

• American Bar Association Health Care Proxy Information

[Rockney]

on 11/27/2008 Very important issue of your life! Great information!