Healthcare Proxy: Why Seniors Should Have One in Place
According to researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, a staggering 63% of Americans have not completed advanced directives. For seniors, it means leaving critical medical decisions in uncertain hands and can lead to confusion, family conflict, and delays in care.
At TerraBella Fuquay-Varina, we understand how important healthcare legal planning is for our assisted living community. The good news? Setting up a healthcare proxy and other components of elder care planning is not only simple, but it can provide lasting security.
Taking action today means protecting your wishes and easing the burden on family members.
Healthcare Proxy vs. Advance Directives
When you research senior legal planning, several terms come up that cause confusion simply because people don't understand what they mean. Two of those are healthcare proxy and advanced directive. Let's look at the differences.
Healthcare Proxy
A healthcare proxy is a legal document that names a healthcare agent, a.k.a. proxy, the person authorized to make medical decisions if a senior becomes unable to communicate. Your healthcare agent works with doctors to ensure medical care follows your values and preferences.
Advance Directives
An advance directive is a separate document that provides written instructions about specific medical treatments. It may outline choices about life support, resuscitation, or long-term care.
Seniors benefit from having both. While an advance directive details what medical care a person wants, a healthcare proxy determines who will make those decisions. Together, they create a complete healthcare plan.
Benefits of Having a Healthcare Proxy
Here at TerraBella Fuquay-Varina, we want residents in our assisted living community to have control over their medical care, even when they can't speak for themselves. A healthcare proxy ensures that medical decisions aren't left to chance or hospital policies.
Let's talk more about the many benefits of having healthcare proxies in place before health challenges arise.
Personalized Decision-Making
Without a healthcare proxy, decisions may default to hospital protocols rather than honoring individual preferences. Whether it's treatment plans, pain management, or end-of-life care, a proxy ensures the senior's wishes guide every choice.
Continuity of Care
Timely medical decisions can improve health outcomes, especially in emergencies. Without a proxy, doctors may hesitate or wait for legal clarification before proceeding.
Legal Protection
A legally designated proxy has clear authority to act on the senior's behalf. This prevents confusion, disputes among family members, or delays in treatment.
How to Appoint a Healthcare Agent
We want our seniors at TerraBella to have peace of mind knowing their medical care will follow their wishes, even if they can't express them. Choosing the person to make those decisions is something that usually requires quite a bit of thought.
Choosing the Right Person
Your healthcare agent should be someone who can stay calm in medical situations and uphold your preferences. While many choose a spouse or adult child, a close friend or legal representative may also be a good choice. The agent must be willing to take on the responsibility of medical decision-making.
Communication Skills Matter
A healthcare proxy only works if the healthcare agent understands your values and specific medical preferences. Conversations should cover topics like life-sustaining treatment, resuscitation, and long-term care.
Legal Steps
Each state has requirements for legally naming a healthcare agent. Consulting an elder law attorney here in Fuquay-Varina can help you understand North Carolina's regulations.
We offer many exclusive amenities here at TerraBella, including health and wellness programs; make sure to ask if we have any future senior legal planning workshops scheduled.
Do You Have a Healthcare Power of Attorney?
We've talked extensively about healthcare proxies and why seniors need them. Now, let's explore the healthcare power of attorney (HCPOA).
An HCPOA gives a trusted individual the legal authority to make medical decisions on your behalf. Unlike a healthcare proxy, which focuses on treatment choices when someone is incapacitated, an HCPOA can give broader decision-making power.
What the HCPOA Covers:
- Medical treatment decisions
- Access to medical records for informed decision-making
- Authority to choose or change healthcare providers
- Coordination of ongoing care
You may need both a healthcare proxy and an HCPOA because these documents serve different but complementary purposes. Having both documents in place provides comprehensive senior legal planning and ensures no gaps in decision-making.
Finalizing and Storing Healthcare Documents
Both a healthcare proxy and an HCPOA must be properly completed to be legally valid. We recommend taking the following steps to finalize and store your healthcare documents:
- Sign each document to confirm your choices
- Store in a safe and accessible place
- Share copies with your healthcare agent
- Give copies to medical providers and assisted living staff
You've likely read about it, or know people who have written up and signed informal wills or power of attorney paperwork. According to North Carolina Senate Bill 569, an HCPOA must be notarized, so make sure you talk to an attorney before assuming you've finalized your healthcare directives.
Regular Reviews and Updates
A healthcare proxy designation isn't a one-time decision. We encourage our seniors to review their documents regularly to ensure they still align with their current needs and preferences. Without updates, an outdated proxy may not reflect a senior's best interests when it's time to make critical decisions.
When to review and update a healthcare proxy:
- Major health changes may shift medical preferences
- If your designated person passes away or is no longer able to serve
- Changes in relationships
- Relocation to a different state
You may wonder why a move would trigger a review. If you relocate to a different state, you'll need to follow your new state's estate and medical planning laws.
Make sure to review your healthcare proxy at least every few years or after any significant life change. Keeping it up to date protects your preferences.
Plan Your Future at TerraBella Fuquay-Varina
Planning for the future with a healthcare proxy ensures seniors receive care that respects their choices. Clear legal documents help prevent uncertainty and ease the burden on loved ones.
At TerraBella Fuquay-Varina, residents enjoy the freedom of independent living while knowing a compassionate team is always ready to support their needs.
Visit our assisted living community in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, to discover how we help residents feel confident in their daily living. Schedule your tour today!