Choose a Health-Care Decision Maker in Long Beach

Start with what has changed

Before revisiting a health-care power of attorney, identify the change that prompted you to take another look. A relationship may have changed, a person you named may no longer be available, or your expectations about who should speak for you may be different. These are reasons to reassess your choices, not automatic answers about whom to appoint.

Set aside your current planning documents and note who is named, if anyone, and what questions you have about that person’s role. A health-care directive can designate an agent for health-care decisions. Financial authority is a separate purpose, so do not assume that a person named to handle finances is also the person you want to make health-care decisions.

• What circumstance makes the current plan feel out of date?
• Do you still want the person currently named to serve?
• Is there a person you would now prefer to name, or someone whose availability or willingness you need to discuss?

Choose for the role, not just the relationship

Consider whether a prospective agent understands your priorities, can communicate with the people you would want involved, and is willing to take on the role. A close relationship alone may not answer those questions. Think about how the person responds when you discuss difficult subjects and whether you would be comfortable with that person speaking for you when you cannot communicate your own decision.

These are practical considerations to discuss, not legal tests or medical recommendations. You can also consider an alternate if you want another person identified in case your first choice cannot serve. Before settling on names, consider speaking with each person about your expectations and whether they are comfortable with the responsibility.

• Who is likely to understand and communicate your wishes?
• Who could remain composed and communicate clearly in a difficult situation?
• Would you like an alternate, and have you discussed the possibility with that person?

Talk through communication and authority

A useful planning conversation makes the role understandable to you and the person you may name. Explain what matters to you, how you would want the agent to communicate with people close to you, and what concerns you have about the agent’s decision-making role. Ask what the person understands the role to involve and raise any uncertainty before deciding whether to name them.

Keep the distinction between authority and preferences clear. The agent appointment identifies someone to make health-care decisions; written treatment preferences are a separate subject. You may want to discuss both, but an appointment of an agent is not itself a statement of every treatment preference.

• What would you want the agent to understand about your priorities?
• Who, if anyone, would you want the agent to communicate with?
• What do you want to address separately as a treatment preference?

Prepare to revisit an existing plan

Bring or gather the health-care directive you currently rely on, if you have one, and make a short list of what no longer matches your circumstances. Note any names you are reconsidering, possible alternates, questions about the agent’s role, and topics you would rather address as treatment preferences. This preparation can help focus a planning discussion; it does not itself change a document.

If your concern is who may make health-care decisions, focus the discussion on the agent and alternate choices. If your concern is what treatment you would want, identify those preferences as a distinct topic. For a planning conversation from Long Beach, the firm offers virtual services statewide; its in-person office is in Novato.