This is a very easy question.
Even though, there are many things that may be important, there is one that trumps them all:
Even though, there are many things that may be important, there is one that trumps them all:
The health care proxy!
Why is that?
The health care proxy is a person that you trust to speak with the doctors on your behalf when you are unable to do that yourself.
You might still be fit and very healthy and may think that you won’t need a Health Care Proxy any time soon – but beware!
What if you lose consciousness and cannot respond? You might recover from this, however, someone should be there assisting the doctors in making the right decisions.
What are the “right” decisions?
These are things that you would decided the same way yourself.
It may not be what most people would choose for themselves but it is what YOU would want and that’s what makes it the “right” decision.
It may not be what most people would choose for themselves but it is what YOU would want and that’s what makes it the “right” decision.
This is why it is crucial for you to be in constant communication with your health care proxy. This is the person who should know all your wishes and should have enough information about you to be able to guess what you would say in any given scenario.
Who can be a health care proxy? Does it have to be a relative?
Anyone above the age of 18 years can be your health care proxy.
You don’t have to be related.
Make sure to speak to this person about this, though.
He or she should be aware of this assignment and they should be willing to take on this important responsibility.
You don’t have to be related.
Make sure to speak to this person about this, though.
He or she should be aware of this assignment and they should be willing to take on this important responsibility.
How to get started?
There is no easy way to talk about serious illness, disability and death.
Speak to your doctor about this if you have any further questions or require support or assistance.
Also, check out this website: the conversation project
There you will find a lot of resources on how to have these kinds of conversations.
They even offer a “starter kit” to help you jumpstart the conversation: Starter Kit.
Speak to your doctor about this if you have any further questions or require support or assistance.
Also, check out this website: the conversation project
There you will find a lot of resources on how to have these kinds of conversations.
They even offer a “starter kit” to help you jumpstart the conversation: Starter Kit.
By the way, you do not need a lawyer to fill out a health care proxy form (at least not in New York State). Ask your doctor about details as they might be different in the various States.
In New York State you would only have to fill out the form which you can find on the Department of Health Website: Health Care Proxy Form NY. You will need to have two adult witnesses to sign with you.
In New York State you would only have to fill out the form which you can find on the Department of Health Website: Health Care Proxy Form NY. You will need to have two adult witnesses to sign with you.
When you express yourself and you know that people are listening and willing to follow your wishes then you will have peace of mind. Also, you are relieving your loved ones from the burden and guilt.
When they know your wishes they can be comforted by the assurance that the difficult decisions were yours not theirs. It is a gift you give to them as well as to yourself.
When they know your wishes they can be comforted by the assurance that the difficult decisions were yours not theirs. It is a gift you give to them as well as to yourself.
If you don’t already have a Health Care Proxy, make it a goal to sign one this month!
Be well,
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