What is A Health Care Power of Attorney
A health care power of attorney is a well known legal document primarily used by a patient to inform his or her professional health givers about his decisions on his healthcare treatment that would come into effect should he or she becomes incapacitated to make his or her own decision due to problems that are likely to arise following his or her incapacity. Also, the health care power of attorney is used to appoint another specified person who is designated to make decision on behalf of the patient. The specified person is empowered to issue instructions to the healthcare givers on behalf of the patient.
Health Care Power of Attorney Format
There are many formats available for health care power of attorney. However, the basic formats must contain the main relevant information. The information should include the appointment of the patent’s advocate or agent, the appointment of the patient’s successor advocate should in case the main patient’s advocate becomes also incapacitated or resigns. It must include the instructions for the healthcare givers from the patient with the name, address and date the document is signed. It should contain two witnesses in which their names, address, statements and signatures must be on record. As part of the document, the advocate acceptance is expected to be included with his or her names, address, date and signature all captured.
How to Create a Health Care Power of Attorney
The following steps will offer a guide on how to create a health care power of attorney.
Step1Be sure of the Person you may want to Choose As Your Health Care Advocate
You must be sure about your intended advocate because he or she can make a life or death decisions on your behalf according to your wishes. You should consider the location, health and age of the potential agent. You do not want to choose someone who is far away and cannot come in for you at short notice. Also, make sure you consider the agents religion. You must be sure that the person will not shy away from carrying out your wish based on their religious or moral views. Make sure the person will set aside their personal belief in favor of your wishes.
Step2Talk about Your Health Care Decisions with your Agent
This step involves having a real conversation with your agent or with anyone who will be seriously involved in taking decisions when you are seriously ill. Because the future is unpredictable, it is advisable not to talk about specific medical treatments you want or do not want. In fact, it is a bad idea to do that except in cases where you face a situation now and you need to decide on the specific care plan.
Step3Create, Fill the form
It is important to check state legal requirement’s before creating the form. The form is basically created to capture the basic information like the information regarding patient’s advocate/agent, successor advocate/agent, instructions from the patient, the witnesses’ information and the name and addresses of everyone involved. The witness must be two and ensure the state guidelines in choosing a witness is followed. The power of the agent must be clearly written and his acceptance form must be signed and dated.
More Tips of Health Care Power of Attorney
In the choice of your health care agent, ensure you do not choose your spouse or employee or a health care agent who serves more than 10 people.
Ensure you give a copy to your agent and health care providers after you have fill out the form
Make sure you follow the state’s legal requirement for choosing an agent and choose someone who can handle conflicting opinions of family members, friends and medical personnel’s.
Finally, choose someone you can trust with your life.
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