Advance health care directives such as a health care proxy are going to be part of any comprehensive estate plan. With this document you name someone who would be empowered to make medical decisions for you if you were to become incapacitated.
Clearly, a significant percentage of individuals ultimately cannot communicate as they decline prior to passing away.
When you are picking an individual to act as your health care proxy you should consider these relevant personal qualities.
Decisiveness
When a doctor is looking you in the eye asking you for a decision that may be very time sensitive you have to be able to act decisively. Yes, it’s exceedingly difficult when the life of a loved one is in the balance, but that’s part of the job of a health care proxy.
Communication Skills
Everyone who cares about the person in question is going to have an opinion. It is important for the decision-maker to be able to communicate with the family members and friends of the incapacitated individual.
Strength of Conviction
Because different people may have different ideas about the best way to proceed the health care proxy must be strong enough to make decisions that some people may not agree with.
Geographical Location
It is best if the representative that you choose lives close to you. If you were to become unable to communicate your own medical decisions the proxy may be called upon to act quickly.
If the person lives far away this could certainly present a problem.
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