Recent headlines
about the Schiavo family in Florida
created a multitude of calls to
Senior Approved Services from family
members who wanted clarification
on what it means to designate an
individual to make health care decisions
on behalf of a loved one that can
not make his or her wishes known.
Questions about why the spouse’s
decision wasn’t protected from legal
actions brought by the parents of
a married adult child as well as
the intended intervention that our
United States Congress attempted
have furthered this confusion for
each of us. I did a little research
on behalf of the families (that
phoned us) and believe the following
information that we passed on will
be of interest to you as well. We
found most of this information at
http://www.abanet.org/aging/ The
American Bar Association web site.
Who to Choose? Who should you select
to speak on your behalf in a case
where you are physically and/or
mentally not able to state your
wishes? The following ten guidelines
will help you decide. You should
think about naming one primary person
and a secondary back up in case
your first choice is not available
for some reason. Your Health Care
Agent, Proxy, Representative, Attorney-In-Fact,
Surrogate, Patient Advocate, Guardian
of Person (all of these names mean
the same thing and will vary in
use state to state) should … • Meet
the legal criteria in your state
for acting as agent or proxy • Be
willing to speak on your behalf
• Be able to act on your wishes
and separate his/her own feelings
from yours • Live close by or could
travel to be at your side if needed
• Know you well and understand what’s
important to you • Be someone you
trust with your life • Be willing
to talk with you now about sensitive
issues and will listen to your wishes
• Be likely to be available long
into the future • Be able to handle
conflicting opinions between family
members, friends, and medical personnel
• Be a strong advocate in the face
of an unresponsive doctor or institution
Who Cannot Be a Proxy? How Much
Authority Should You Give Your Agent?
Who Should Have a Record of Your
Wishes? Who Determines Quality of
Life? Continue reading the complete
article http://www.qualityeldercare.com/News_Ezine_Linking_Seniors_Caregivers_and_Healthcare_Professionals-2005-April.html#d
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