A healthcare surrogate, also known as a healthcare proxy or agent, is a person who would have the authority to make medical decisions on your behalf when you become unable to do so yourself.
Not everyone would need a healthcare surrogate in their lifetime, but that does not mean you should leave the future up to chance. No one knows what could happen, and in case you become incapacitated, you need a trusted person who can make decisions for you.
You can appoint a healthcare surrogate using advance directives, such as a living will or a medical power of attorney. You can do this at any age, but certain life events make a surrogate even more crucial.
After diagnosis of a serious condition
It may be advisable to create an advanced directive after the diagnosis of a condition that could potentially incapacitate you. Incapacitation, in this context, means you are physically or mentally unable to understand or legally consent to treatment.
Examples of such conditions include but are not limited to:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
You may want to name a healthcare surrogate while you still can. Furthermore, you can use advanced directives to specify your treatment preferences.
Before major surgery
In some cases, surgery may lead to unexpected complications that require other treatments. You will already provide consent before the surgery, but if the surgeon needs to perform an emergency procedure you did not consent to, a healthcare surrogate can make that choice for you.
It is a good precaution to create an advanced directive before major surgery. However, you may also want to consider making one even if the surgery is minor, but you have an increased risk of complications.
If you work in a dangerous industry
Fields like construction, mining and law enforcement come with inherent risks. Accidents are not uncommon, and if an accident renders you unable to communicate, a healthcare surrogate can make decisions on your behalf.
For example, your surrogate can outline your preferences to the doctor while you are in a coma.
As mentioned, having a healthcare surrogate at any age is a good idea. Without one, medical providers may rely on the default surrogate, such as your spouse or child, and you might not want them to carry that burden.
Creating an advanced directive can help protect your and your family’s future. Consider speaking to an attorney who can guide you through the process.