The Benefits of Having a Healthcare Proxy
When you are unable to speak for yourself, you want to be sure that you are getting the right kind of healthcare. There are instances people never think of where they are unable to make decisions for themselves and an important decision might need to be made. For example, if you are under anesthesia during surgery and a decision needs to be made, then what would happen? The laws in your state protect you by allowing doctors to make decisions in situations like that to save your life. But if your healthcare needs differ from the state’s standard procedures, then you need to have a healthcare proxy in place.
What Is A Healthcare Proxy?
A healthcare proxy is an official document where you name the person who can make medical decisions on your behalf when you are unable to make those decisions for yourself. A healthcare proxy can be as comprehensive or as limited as you want it to be. If you have extensive healthcare concerns, then you should probably make your proxy comprehensive. A healthcare proxy is only for medical decisions. Your proxy is not able to make financial or business decisions on your behalf while you are incapacitated.
Protecting Your Religious Beliefs
If you get into an accident that leaves you unconscious, then doctors and emergency personnel will use standard medical procedures to save your life. If you have religious beliefs that do not recognize certain types of medical procedures, then having a healthcare proxy in place can make sure that your beliefs are taken into account when care is being considered.
A Living Will
One of the more controversial aspects of healthcare is the idea of a person choosing whether or not they will be sustained by life-support equipment. In most states, the default decision in these instances is to put the person on life-support and then let the family decide the next move. But if you have a healthcare proxy in place and do not want to survive on life-support, then your proxy can make that decision for you based on your expressed beliefs.
Your Quality Of Life
In the immediate aftermath of an accident, decisions need to be made about your care that will affect your future quality of life. When you have a healthcare proxy in place, it is like the medical professionals are talking directly to you about the decisions that need to be made. Your proxy will know what types of concessions you would be willing to make and what kinds of life functions you consider important.
A healthcare proxy is the voice you need when you are unable to speak for yourself. If you have special considerations that need to be made when it comes to giving you healthcare in emergency situations, then you need a healthcare proxy to make sure that all of the right answers are given in difficult situations. Call The Mattar Firm today to get your Health Care Proxy in place. Our attentive estate attorneys will help you with all of your estate planning needs.