What is a healthcare proxy?

As the National Institute on Aging (NIA) explains, a healthcare proxy is a legal document people use for advance care planning. Another name for this document is a “durable power of attorney for healthcare.” Its purpose is to nominate someone to make a person’s healthcare decisions in the event of an illness or injury.

Can a health care proxy make your own medical decisions?

In an emergency or at the end of life, you may not be able to make your own decisions about your medical care. To help ensure you get the care you want, you can choose a person to make medical decisions for you. This person is called a health care proxy.

How do I name a health care proxy?

To name a health care proxy, you can use an advance directive called the durable power of attorney for health care. An advance directive is a legal document that provides instructions for medical care and only goes into effect if you cannot communicate your own wishes.