Choosing Your Health Care Proxy

The right time to choose your Health Care proxy is before you need one. This is because it is important to choose your proxy when you are of sound mind and capable of making informed decisions about your Health Care. 

Having a Health Care proxy in place can provide peace of mind and ensure that your wishes are respected, even in circumstances where you can no longer make decisions for yourself. You should consider choosing a proxy as soon as you are “of age”, perhaps age 18 or 21. It’s a good idea to review your proxy decisions every 10 years to ensure that your feelings and wishes haven’t changed.

When choosing a Health Care proxy, it's important to consider several factors to ensure that your wishes are respected and that your Health Care proxy is prepared to carry out your wishes if you cannot make decisions for yourself. 

Here is a checklist to help you choose a Health Care proxy:

1. Trustworthiness: Consider choosing someone you trust implicitly, who will act in your best interests and carry out your wishes as you intended.
2. Availability: Ensure that your Health Care Proxy is available and accessible if and when needed and is willing to take on this responsibility.
3. Communication skills: Your Health Care proxy should be an effective communicator, able to articulate your wishes to Health Care providers and make decisions on your behalf.
4. Familiarity with your wishes: Consider choosing someone who knows your wishes and values well, so they can make informed decisions that align with your priorities.
5. Medical knowledge: While it's not necessary for your Health Care Proxy to have medical training, it may be helpful if they have some knowledge of medical issues and treatments to make informed decisions on your behalf.
6. Willingness to act: Ensure that your Health Care Proxy will act in your best interests, even if it may be difficult or unpopular.
7. Flexibility: Consider choosing someone who is open-minded, flexible, and willing to adapt to changing circumstances and circumstances.
8. Respect for autonomy: Ensure that your Health Care Proxy respects your autonomy and values your right to make decisions about your own Health Care.

Remember, choosing a Health Care Proxy is an important decision, and it's important to take the time to choose the right person for this important role. You may also consider having a backup Health Care proxy in case your first choice is unavailable or unable to serve in this role.

Here are some suggestions for how to approach a candidate Health Care Proxy:

• Explain why you're asking: Begin by explaining why you're having the conversation, and why you think this person would be a good candidate to be your Health Care proxy.
• Explain the role of a Health Care proxy: Explain what a Health Care proxy is and what it entails, including the responsibilities and decision-making authority of a Health Care proxy.
• Share your thoughts and wishes: Share your thoughts and wishes regarding your Health Care, including your values and priorities. This can help ensure that your proxy is informed and prepared to act in accordance with your wishes.
• Ask for their thoughts: Ask for their thoughts and feelings about serving as your Health Care proxy. Are they comfortable with the responsibility and the decision-making authority?
• Provide information about the process: Provide information about the process of becoming a Health Care proxy, including any necessary legal documents and steps to take.
• Offer support: Let the person know that you understand that this is a big decision, and offer your support and understanding.

• Ask for their decision: Finally, ask for their decision, and respect their response, whether they are able to serve as your Health Care proxy or not.

What’s the best way to document my selection of a Health Care Proxy?

To document your Health Care proxy selection, you can create a written Advance Directive, such as a Living Will or a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. This document should include the name, contact information, and signature of your Health Care proxy and should be signed by you and any witnesses required by your state.

It's important to ensure that your Advance Directive is properly executed and witnessed in accordance with your state's laws, and to keep multiple copies in safe and accessible places, such as with your personal papers, with your Health Care proxy, and with your doctor.

Additionally, you may also want to inform your doctor and any other relevant Health Care providers about your Health Care proxy and the Advance Directive, and provide them with a copy. This can help ensure that your proxy is informed and able to act on your behalf if and when needed.

How can LifeCloud help me with this process?

LifeCloud provides a secure and accessible platform for your Advance Directives, such as your Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. With LifeCloud, you can store your important medical documents in a single, safe location and make them easily accessible to your designated Health Care Proxy.

Not only does LifeCloud provide secure storage, it also offers reminders to review and update your Advance Directives, ensuring they remain current and aligned with your changing wishes and medical needs. You can create a LifeCloud Circle, which includes trusted friends, family members, your Health Care Proxy, and doctors, providing them with easy access to your Advance Directives and medical information in case of an emergency.

LifeCloud offers peace of mind in knowing that your Advance Directives are stored securely, easily accessible, and regularly reviewed to ensure they accurately reflect your current wishes and priorities.