Designation of Health Care Surrogate: What You Need To Know In 2023

What Is A Health Care Surrogate?

A health care surrogate is a person you designate to make medical decisions on your behalf in the event that you are unable to do so yourself. This could be due to an illness or other medical disability that affects your ability to understand and make decisions. Health care surrogates can be family members, friends, or other trusted people who you choose to make decisions for you. This is a very important decision and should be made thoughtfully.

What Are The Requirements For Designating A Health Care Surrogate?

In order to designate a health care surrogate, you must be of sound mind and able to understand the implications of your decision. You must also provide written consent for the designation in order for it to be valid. Additionally, you must choose someone who is of legal age and of sound mind. It is important to discuss your wishes with the person you choose to be your health care surrogate in order to ensure that they are comfortable with the role.

What Are The Responsibilities Of A Health Care Surrogate?

A health care surrogate is responsible for making medical decisions on your behalf. This includes decisions about treatments, medications, and end-of-life care. In some cases, the surrogate may also be able to make decisions about financial and legal matters. The surrogate must follow your wishes as stated in your advance directive, unless they believe that following those wishes would not be in your best interest.

What If I Don’t Have A Health Care Surrogate?

If you do not designate a health care surrogate, your doctor or another health care professional may be required to make decisions on your behalf. In some cases, a court may appoint someone to make decisions for you. It is always best to designate a health care surrogate in advance, as this will ensure that your wishes are respected.

Who Should I Choose As My Health Care Surrogate?

When choosing a health care surrogate, it is important to select someone who is familiar with your wishes and values. This could be a family member, a close friend, or another trusted person. It is a good idea to discuss your wishes in advance with the person you choose, as this will help ensure that they understand and are comfortable with the role.

How Do I Designate A Health Care Surrogate?

In order to designate a health care surrogate, you must provide written consent. In some cases, you may also need to have your signature witnessed or notarized. Your health care provider may be able to provide you with the necessary forms or you can find them online. It is important to be sure that the forms are completed correctly in order for the designation to be valid.

What If I Change My Mind About My Health Care Surrogate?

You can revoke or change your designation of a health care surrogate at any time. You will need to provide written notice of the change and make sure that your health care provider is aware of the change. It is also important to communicate the change to your health care surrogate so that they are aware of your wishes.

Conclusion

Designating a health care surrogate is an important decision and should be taken seriously. It is important to choose someone who is familiar with your wishes and values and to discuss your wishes in advance. It is also important to make sure that the necessary forms are completed correctly so that the designation is valid. With the right preparation, you can ensure that your wishes are respected in the event that you are unable to make decisions for yourself.