Choose a Health-Care Decision Maker in Los Angeles

Start with the person, not the form

Begin by identifying the decision-making role you want someone to fill. A suitable person is not necessarily the closest relative or the person who agrees with you on every issue. Consider whether the person listens carefully, can explain your priorities to others, and is likely to communicate clearly in a stressful situation.

Before deciding, ask yourself: Would I feel comfortable discussing sensitive health-care matters with this person? Would they be able to focus on my preferences if family members disagreed? Can I rely on them to ask questions and convey information accurately? These are practical considerations for choosing an agent, not a checklist of legal qualifications.

• Write down the names of people you are considering and what makes each seem suited to the role.
• Think about whether each person understands how you want to be consulted and kept informed.
• Consider in advance whether someone you trust could serve as an alternate if your first choice cannot act.

Make the choice concrete with records and questions

Preparation can help turn a general preference into a more thoughtful conversation. Gather notes that explain what matters to you, questions you want to discuss with a prospective agent, and any existing health-care planning documents you want considered. The purpose is to make your priorities easier to explain—not to create a medical recommendation or assume that a particular record is required.

You might note how you want the person to communicate with you, whom you would want involved in conversations, and which concerns you want to raise. Ask the person how they would approach listening to your views and communicating them. Discussing these topics can reveal whether you share an understanding of the role before you make a decision.

• Bring a short list of questions and topics that you do not want overlooked.
• If you already have planning documents, note what each one addresses and what you would like clarified.
• Record any uncertainty about who should be chosen or how you want communication handled.

Separate the agent appointment from treatment preferences

Choosing an agent answers who may make health-care decisions. It is a different planning question from explaining what treatment you would prefer. Keep the two topics distinct in your discussion: first identify the person you trust to act, then consider what preferences you want to communicate to that person.

The appointment does not, by itself, tell a prospective agent everything you would want in every situation. A practical next step is to discuss your priorities in plain language and identify questions that remain unresolved. This page focuses on selecting and communicating with a decision maker; it is not a guide to choosing medical treatment.

• Name the person you are considering and explain why you trust them with this responsibility.
• Discuss how you want your views conveyed when a decision arises.
• Keep questions about the agent’s role separate from questions about particular treatment preferences.

Keep health-care and financial authority distinct

A health-care agent and someone authorized to handle financial matters serve different purposes. Choosing a health-care decision maker does not itself answer who should manage financial matters, so treat those decisions as separate parts of your planning.

If you are considering one person for both roles, consider each responsibility independently. Ask whether the person is suited to the health-care communication role and, separately, whether you want that person involved in financial decisions. This helps prevent a decision about one kind of authority from being mistaken for a decision about the other.

Plan a focused next conversation

Before discussing your plan, bring the names you are considering, your reasons for choosing or hesitating about each person, and notes about the conversations you want to have. Identify whether you need to clarify the agent’s role, your communication preferences, or the distinction between health-care and financial authority. Codi M. Dada Law Office P.C. provides virtual services statewide from its Novato office.