Medical Care Proxy

Health care power of attorney, what’s this all about? Have you heard about it or even cared to try it? Whatever your case is, this article is made to present to you the advantages of having the so-called health care power of attorney.

According to the article “Health Care Power of Attorney” by Kate Mewhinney at www.lawyers.com, a “health care power of attorney” or a “durable power of attorney for health care” can be helpful when you’re unable to make medical decisions for yourself because you’re terminally ill, when there’s no hope of recovery, and you don’t want your life to be prolonged by “artificial hydration and nutrition”. You might also hear it referred to as a “health care proxy” or a “medical power of attorney” that names someone who “stands in your shoes” and tells the doctors what to do – or not do – for you.

As what the article has said, this power of attorney is truly beneficial because it applies whenever a temporarily incapacitated or seriously ill patient is unable to make medical decisions for himself. Therefore, choosing the one who’ll be your health care power of attorney is a very tough decision to make. This person must be someone who basically agrees with your views and whose opinions you trust, can stand up for your preferences, and can talk comfortably with physicians when necessary.

This medical care proxy will speak for you and spell out what’s in your mind when you are not able to communicate with your family. Remember that when you’ll be trapped in a situation similar to this, your family will not want to see you suffer from your illness. You might as well feel pity for your loved ones because you will not want to see them grieve likewise. You might not be able to express yourself but then you’ll still have your feelings and emotions to show them how you feel.

Indeed, your quality of life may deteriorate to the point where some will consider it worse than death. And so, if you feel this way, express what you have in your heart and mind in your health care power of attorney, and explain your views to your family, too. However, your families still have a say in what medical treatment must be given to you. What you’ve mentioned in your health care power of attorney can sometimes be withdrawn if the family agrees it’s the best.

In such cases, if your relatives know your views, they can explain them to the medical team. And if a health care facility refuses to honor a reasonable request by relatives regarding life support, asking legal help from an attorney is the best thing to do.