How to Choose a Health Care Agent

The person you choose to make health care decisions for you in the event that you cannot make decisions for yourself is called your health care agent or proxy.  Some documents use the term Power of Attorney for Health Care.  The person you choose as your agent should be:

§         at least 18 years old (a legal requirement);

§         willing to follow your wishes and preferences about care;

§         not easily intimidated by medical professionals or the medical system;

§         able to make difficult, emotional decisions in a time of crisis;

§         nearby or readily available when needed.

You may name anyone you choose to be your agent.  You may name two or more people to act as your agents.  If you do this, you may identify one person to be the primary agent and the other(s) to be alternate agent(s).  Or, you may say that you want your agents to act together.

It is very important that you talk to each person you want to name as an agent before you complete your directive so that you can:

§         find out if the person is willing to accept the responsibility;

§         tell the person about your wishes and preferences for care;

§ be sure the person will be willing and able to follow your wishes.