Choose a Health-Care Decision Maker in San Dimas

Start with the person, not the form

Consider who is likely to understand your priorities, communicate clearly, and take your wishes seriously. The person need not be the same person you would choose to manage finances: health-care authority and financial authority serve different purposes. Make each choice separately rather than assuming one appointment covers both.

Think through how your proposed agent handles difficult conversations and whether they could explain your preferences to others. These are practical considerations for choosing someone; they are not a substitute for deciding what authority you want to grant.

Decide who could serve as an alternate

Before settling on a primary choice, ask yourself who you would want considered if that person could not take the role when a decision is needed. You can also consider whether your choices would communicate consistently with one another and with you. These questions help make the appointment more concrete without assuming that a particular family member or relationship is the right choice.

Make the conversation specific

A useful preparation step is to write down the names you are considering and the questions you want to discuss with each person. For example, note how you prefer to receive information, who you want included in conversations, and what you would want your agent to understand about communicating your wishes. These are discussion prompts, not medical instructions.

If you have existing planning documents, bring them or make a list of what they are called. That can help keep the conversation focused on what you want the health-care appointment to address and whether you have separate documents for other purposes.

• People you are considering as your primary agent and alternates
• Questions about communication, availability, and how each person would approach the role
• Existing planning documents you want to discuss

Keep the appointment separate from treatment preferences

Naming an agent and recording treatment preferences are distinct planning decisions. A health-care directive can designate an agent for health-care decisions; separately, you can consider what written preferences you want to communicate. Choosing an agent does not answer every question about the preferences you may want recorded, so discuss both topics if both matter to you.

Focus this discussion on who should speak for you and how you want that person to understand your wishes. For questions about specific treatment choices, consult an appropriate health-care professional; this page does not make medical recommendations.

Plan the next discussion

Bring your proposed choices, alternates, and questions to a planning conversation with Codi M. Dada Law Office P.C. If you are unsure whether a person should be named for health-care decisions, financial matters, or both, identify that uncertainty so the roles can be discussed separately. The firm serves San Dimas clients virtually from its Novato office.