How to choose a medical power of attorney

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 14:06 · Archive

Aging adults should designate a trusted person to make medical decisions if they cannot.

Choosing a medical power of attorney allows people to maintain control over their healthcare as they age. The person named to this role holds significant decision-making authority, according to gerontologist Sam Cradduck. They can decide whether someone will have surgery, enter a skilled facility for rehabilitation after a procedure, move to assisted living, remain at home, or who their caregivers will be.

The document goes by several names, including health care surrogate, health care power of attorney and health care proxy, though all refer to the same thing. The key is selecting someone who understands your wishes and will honour them, experts say.

Cradduck emphasised the importance of choosing someone who can set emotions aside. 'You need to make sure that this person knows you, knows your wishes, will honour your wishes, and that they're not going to be torn by emotion if it comes down to life and death decisions,' she said. 'You need to know that this person can advocate for your wishes, not for their heart's desire.'

Aging expert Amy O'Rourke cautioned that married couples should not assume a spouse automatically has the power to make these decisions. 'Don't just think because you have a family relationship that you're going to have the power to make these decisions,' she said.

Experts recommend having the medical power of attorney document accessible at all times, in case decisions need to be made during a medical emergency or crisis.

How it is being reported

• Who speaks for you? Choosing a medical power of attorneyStaying in control as you age can mean choosing someone you trust to make health care decisions if you can't.Wandtv · 5 Nov, 13:29
• Who speaks for you? Choosing a medical power of attorneyStaying in control as you age can mean choosing someone you trust to make health care decisions if you can't.WIFR · 5 Nov, 13:29
• Who speaks for you? Choosing a medical power of attorneyStaying in control as you age can mean choosing someone you trust to make health care decisions if you can't.Kfvs12 · 5 Nov, 13:29

In this story: Sam Cradduck · Amy O'Rourke

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