Health Care Surrogates And Living Wills
A health care surrogate and a living will are both legal documents that deal with medical decisions and health care preferences, but they serve different purposes. It’s important to note that the laws and specific requirements for health care surrogates and living wills can vary depending on the country or state. Generally, both documents need to be signed while the person is of sound mind and free from undue influence. To ensure that these documents are legally binding and comply with local regulations, individuals should consult an attorney or follow the guidelines provided by their local government or health care institutions. Additionally, discussing these preferences with family members and the designated health care surrogate is crucial to ensure everyone is aware of the individual’s wishes and to prevent potential conflicts or misunderstandings in the future.
Health Care Surrogates
A health care surrogate, also known as a health care power of attorney or medical power of attorney, is a legal document that designates an individual to make medical decisions on behalf of another person (the “principal”) in case the principal becomes unable to make those decisions themselves due to incapacity or unconsciousness. The person appointed as the health care surrogate is typically a family member or a close friend whom the principal trusts to advocate for their medical preferences and wishes.
The health care surrogate has the authority to communicate with health care providers, access medical records, and make decisions about the principal’s medical treatment options. They are expected to make decisions based on what they believe the principal would have wanted or, if that is not known, in the best interest of the principal’s health and well-being.
Living Wills
A living will, also known as an advance health care directive or medical directive, is a written statement that outlines an individual’s health care preferences and treatment choices in case they become incapacitated or are unable to communicate their wishes due to a severe medical condition or end-of-life situation. A living will allows individuals to express their desires regarding medical treatments they would like to receive or refuse under specific circumstances.
Common medical decisions addressed in a living will may include preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments like artificial ventilation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), tube feeding, organ donation, and palliative care. By providing these instructions in advance, a person’s health care providers and loved ones can ensure that the individual’s wishes are respected, even if they cannot communicate them at the time.