Waiting until you are certain you need someone else to make health care decisions on your behalf risks not being able to communicate your wishes in advance. This could leave loved ones having to guess what you want and create discord among family members at an already stressful time. Having this conversation when you are in good health, and not after you have become too ill or even unable to communicate your wishes is advisable.
As a part of your estate plan, an advance health care directive is an essential part. It provides specific advice to your medical/health care professionals so they can best treat you. It also names your agent so they can make decisions for you that are not specifically addressed in your plan.
Having an agent also requires having a conversation with that agent regarding your beliefs and wishes. To the extent you are able, that person needs to understand your goals and priorities. If you are unable to articulate your specific wishes in every situation, you need to communicate the values you want your agent to follow in making decisions on your behalf. That may be a difficult conversation to start.
Listed below are some topics you should cover with your designated agent, and your successor (alternate) agent in the event that your original choice is unable to serve at a time when you need him/her.
>> Who are your medical/health care providers? You need to provide you agent(s) with the name, phone number, and address of your attending physician, as well as other preferred physicians and healthcare providers. Conversely, if there are health care professionals you do not wish to be involved in your treatment, you should identify those as well. , if there are any physicians or providers you do not wish to treat you, you can furnish a list of those providers as well.
>> What are your existing medical conditions? Your agent needs to be aware of any existing medical conditions. In the event your injury or illness takes place aware from your usual place of care, you will want someone to be able to quickly communicate this information to your health care team. It may very well impact the care you are given.
>> Current Medications and Allergies. You should provide your agent with a list of all the medications you are taking, as well as any allergies to medications. Also inform them if you have any food allergies or specific dietary restrictions. If you want your agent to refuse to authorize certain medicines, you should discuss those as well.
>> Religious beliefs. Up to now, your conversation may have been pretty easy. This is where it can get difficult. Hopefully, covering the generally administrative facts of your health care decisions will make it easier to segue into a discussion about your spiritual beliefs and values. Even if you don’t have firm opinions about specific health care procedures, discussing your beliefs can help your agent make choices about the extent or aggressiveness of medical care you would like to receive. You may also identify a religious leader you wish to include in your conversation, and any religious customs or rites you would like to observe.
>> Review the AHCD Document with your agent. At some point in the process, you will want to review the AHCD document with your agent. The form itself addresses many common medical situations and procedures. If you have firm opinions on them, be sure to communicate them to your agent. If you don’t, sometimes just the act of discussing whatever you are able to, will provide them with needed guidance.
Takeaway
While it can be an awkward topic, many people find comfort after they have a discussion with their designed agent. You may be surprised at the peace of mind gained by knowing that you have armed your loved ones with the tools necessary to avoid difficult decisions without any guidance from you.
Need to draft or update your Advance Health Care Directives? Contact CASHMAN LAW today for a free consultation to see how we might getting your plan in place soon.
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