A thorough estate plan can help protect people if they have personal emergencies. While planning for death is important, so is ensuring access to appropriate support if an individual becomes incapacitated. People can draft documents designating trusted individuals to handle their finances and medical needs.
Choosing a health care proxy can help ensure that there is someone appropriate to make decisions about an individual’s medical treatment in an emergency. Their proxy can carry out their wishes and make decisions in unusual and challenging circumstances. What details should people consider when deciding who to name as a health care proxy?
1. Age and medical status
Selecting someone who is old enough to be responsible but young enough to remain healthy and active for many years is important. People who are adults but relatively young and overall healthy are usually the best candidates to consider for positions of authority when establishing an estate plan.
2. Proximity and availability
Where an individual lives can also influence their suitability to serve as a health care proxy. Someone who lives across the state or in another state may not be able to respond quickly in an emergency where the support of a health care proxy is necessary.
Availability is another key consideration. Loved ones who live nearby but who have several small children or highly-demanding careers might not be able to fulfill the responsibilities that come with serving as a health care proxy. People may need to discuss their intentions with people to determine if they are capable of serving in that role if an emergency arises.
3. Trustworthiness and calmness
There are some people who might make questionable medical decisions because they stand to inherit from an estate or hold a grudge against another person. It is therefore critical to choose a health care proxy who has demonstrated a pattern of responsible, appropriate conduct toward others.
Additionally, they need to be able to handle high-stress situations effectively. Not only do they need to control their own emotions, but they also need to be ready to manage the reactions of family members who might question the choices that they make.
Selecting the best possible candidate can be crucial for the protection of those who need others to make health care decisions for them in an emergency. People who create estate plans may want to establish plans for major emergencies as well as their passing.