Choose a Health-Care Decision Maker in Millbrae

Start with the person, not the paperwork

A health-care directive can designate an agent for health-care decisions. That makes the central choice personal as well as practical: who could listen, understand what matters to you, and communicate on your behalf? The person closest to you is not automatically the person best suited to take on that responsibility.

Consider whether your preferred person can stay composed in a difficult conversation, ask questions when something is unclear, and explain your priorities to others. Think about whether they are willing to take on the role and whether you would feel comfortable discussing private concerns with them. You can also consider who you would want involved if your first choice were unavailable; discuss how any alternate choice should be addressed in your planning.

• Who would take your concerns seriously, even if their own preferences differ?
• Who can communicate clearly with the people involved in your care?
• Is there another person you would want considered if your first choice could not serve?

Make the choice concrete with a conversation

Before settling on a decision maker, talk with the person you are considering. Explain what you would want them to understand about your priorities, and ask how they would approach speaking up for you. A name on a document cannot substitute for a shared understanding of what is important to you.

To prepare, make a short list of the people you are considering and note what makes each a good fit. Bring questions or topics you want to discuss, such as how you prefer to receive information, what concerns you want the person to raise, and whom you would want them to consult for support. These are conversation prompts, not medical instructions.

• Write down the names and contact details of the people you are considering.
• Note the qualities and concerns that matter most in choosing your decision maker.
• Record questions you want to ask before deciding whether someone is willing to serve.

Separate who decides from what you prefer

The appointment and your treatment preferences answer different questions. The appointment identifies who you want to make health-care decisions; written preferences communicate what you want that person to understand about your care. Considering both can help keep the person you choose from having to guess at your priorities.

This planning is separate from financial authority. A financial power of attorney and a health-care appointment serve different purposes, so do not assume that naming someone for one role gives that person authority for the other. If you are organizing several planning documents, identify which person and which concerns belong with each one.

• For the appointment, focus on the person you trust to communicate for you.
• For treatment preferences, focus on what you want that person to understand.
• For financial matters, consider that authority separately from health-care authority.

A useful next step

Before discussing your plan, bring your list of possible decision makers, the questions you want to ask them, and any written notes about priorities you want to communicate. You do not need to arrive with every choice settled. A focused conversation can help identify whether your first-choice person is willing and whether you want to consider an alternate.

Codi M. Dada Law Office P.C. can discuss health-care decision-maker planning with clients in Millbrae through virtual services, with its in-person office in Novato. The next step is to clarify whom you are considering and what you want that person to understand.