Understanding the Health Care Power of Attorney or Proxy 

In Arizona, having a healthcare power of attorney is an essential part of estate planning. It serves as a safeguard, ensuring that decisions about your health align with your values and desires. The need for a health care power of attorney is often due to various reasons, such as unconsciousness or incapacity resulting from an illness or injury. We often see them used after a car accident or as an individual ages with dementia or other mental limitations, such as confusion and forgetfulness. 

The primary goal of a health care proxy or power of attorney is to ensure that your medical care will be authorized promptly and that your treatment preferences are honored timely. A completed health care power of attorney provides control over your health care even when you cannot express your wishes directly. Whether the issues involve choosing to undergo a particular treatment or opting out of specific medical interventions, your health care agent ensures your voice is heard. Having a health care power of attorney prepared can prevent the need for loved ones to seek guardianship, which is a long and costly process.

Choosing the Right Agent for Your Health Care Power of Attorney

Selecting the right agent to act as your health care agent is a decision that should not be taken lightly. The person you choose will have the responsibility of making medical and care decisions that reflect your preferences, values, and wishes. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose someone you trust, who understands your views on health, and who is willing to advocate on your behalf.

When choosing your health care agent:

• Ensure the person is willing and able to take on this responsibility
• Discuss your health care wishes with them in detail
• Consider someone who lives nearby or can easily travel to be with you in an emergency

Arizona law does not permit you to designate your doctor or other health care provider as your agent for a medical power of attorney.  

Ensuring Your Health Care Wishes Are Followed

After appointing a health care agent, it’s essential to communicate your care preferences clearly to that person. This might involve discussing specific medical treatments and outlining scenarios in which you would or would not want certain interventions. 

It will be helpful for your agent if you put your wishes in writing through a living will or advanced health care directive documents, which PayneLess Law will help you create alongside your Healthcare Power of Attorney. Sharing the details with your health care agent, as well as with close family members and your health care providers, ensures that everyone is aware of your preferences and can work together to respect them.