If you are above the age of 18, you need a healthcare proxy. The healthcare proxy that you choose is one half of what is referred to as advanced healthcare directive. The other half of this crucial directive is your living will. The purpose of your advanced healthcare directive is to assist family members, physicians and caregivers in understanding your individual preferences in the event that you need medical assistance if you are unable to speak for yourself. This can happen in any situation in which you are mentally incapacitated or are unconscious. You may also hear your healthcare proxy referred to as a durable power of attorney for healthcare.
With this document, you grant an individual the opportunity to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so on your own. It is critical that such a person understands your individual wishes and has the capability to make difficult decisions with those in line.
Sometimes your personal friends and family members may be too close to your to be able to make the difficult choice. Your living will is a statement about your personal preferences regarding medical treatment at the end of your life. In particular, this refers to situations in which getting care may prolong your life for a period of time but not getting this care would lead to your death. You can mention whether or not a provider should be allowed to use life sustaining technologies like respirators or heart and lung machines to prolong your life. Consulting with an experienced Pasadena estate planning attorney can help you navigate this complex decision.
