Legal and planning
Healthcare proxy
A healthcare proxy is a person you name to make medical decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself. You usually name this person in a durable power of attorney for health care. The proxy may also be called an agent, representative or surrogate.
Why it matters for your family
The National Institute on Aging says your proxy should know your values and wishes. This matters at home too. If a parent has a stroke or advanced dementia, doctors need one clear voice. Without a named proxy, state law may pick a default decision maker, and relatives may disagree. A common mistake is naming someone without talking to them first. Another is naming the person who lives nearest instead of the person best able to follow the parent's wishes. Give copies to the proxy, the doctor and any home caregiver team. Review the choice each year. This is general information, not legal advice.
Source: nia.nih.gov
Read more: What is Elder Law and Do You Need an Elder Care Attorney?
Related terms
- Medical power of attorneyA medical power of attorney is a legal document that names someone to make health care decisions for you if you cannot.
- Advance directiveAn advance directive is a legal document that states your health care wishes in case you cannot decide for yourself.
- Healthcare surrogateA healthcare surrogate is a person who makes medical decisions for someone who cannot decide for themselves.
- Living willA living will is a legal document that tells doctors how you want to be treated if you cannot make your own decisions about emergency treatment.
- Advance care planningAdvance care planning is the process of thinking about and sharing your wishes for future medical care.
- HIPAA authorizationA HIPAA authorization is a person's written permission for a health care provider or health plan to share their protected health information.
