There are a lot of ways to address future medical decisions. Some people choose to have a do-not-resuscitate order on file. Others write out their wishes in an advance directive. Still, others just talk to their medical team in advance and tell them what type of treatment they want in the future.
One of the best ways to do this, though, is by using a medical power of attorney. The advantage here is that you pick someone else who will make the decisions for you. They can be more flexible and react to things that may be happening in real-time, and they can always put your best interests first. So how do you find the right person?
Tips for choosing the right individual
This is a big decision, so here are a few things to keep in mind when trying to choose who should do it:
- You need to pick someone who loves you and cares about you, which is why family members are common.
- You want to pick someone who is nearby and who will be able to address things as they arise.
- You need to choose someone that you trust implicitly to make decisions in your best interests.
- You need to talk to the person first to make sure that they are willing to do it and that they are able to make these decisions.
- You need to choose someone who has a general grasp of your medical condition, your hopes for the future and the complications that may arise.
After you choose someone, then you need to get the medical power of attorney in place and on file so that they actually have the right to make these decisions when needed. Be sure you know exactly what steps to take in advance so that your situation is secure.