The creation of an advance health care directive protects the person drafting the document. They can provide a clear explanation of their various medical preferences. They can also choose someone responsible and trustworthy to act as their medical agent. The primary medical agent designated in an advance directive can make decisions about an incapacitated person’s medical treatment.
How can people choose the right person to assume that crucial position of authority?
Health and proximity are key considerations
Many people might willingly agree to act as a medical agent for a close friend or family member. However, not everyone who could fill the role is likely to be available when an emergency arises. People establishing advance directives may want to create a list of trusted individuals who live nearby.
They may then need to consider the health and personal circumstances of each of those individuals. Demanding careers, multiple children or personal medical challenges could interfere with an agent’s ability to fulfill their obligations.
People also need to consider how well the candidates on their list handle stressful situations. Choosing someone who is assertive but respectful can help ensure that a medically vulnerable individual has support from a person capable of overseeing their care and advocating for them in a difficult situation.
Selecting an appropriate primary agent and possibly an alternate candidate when adding an advance directive to an estate plan can provide an adult with peace of mind. Those who have advance directives on record can trust that they will receive appropriate medical support even if they cannot communicate on their own behalf.