Are there other names for a medical decision maker?

Yes. Sometimes this person is called a surrogate or proxy decision maker, a patient advocate, or durable power of attorney for health care. However, all these terms mean the same thing.

What are the responsibilities (job) of a decision maker?

This information can be found on Page 3 and 4 of your state’s easy-to-read advance directive. In most states, if you are not able, a medical decision maker may choose these things for you:

• doctors, nurses, social workers, caregivers

• hospitals, clinics, nursing homes

• medications, tests, or treatments

• who can look at your medical information

• what happens to your body and organs after you die

Depending on how you fill out the form, here are more decisions your medical decision maker can make:

Start or stop life support or medical treatments, such as:

• CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation

• Breathing machine or ventilator

• Dialysis

• Feeding Tube

• Blood and water transfusions (IV)

• Surgery

• Medicines

End of life decisions your medical decision maker can make:

• call in a religious or spiritual leader

• decide if you die at home or in the hospital

• decide about autopsy or organ donation

• decide about burial or cremation

The PREPARE Easy-to-read Advance Directive allows you to write down the people that you do and do NOT want to make decisions for you and the decisions that you do and do not want them to make.

What makes a good decision maker?

This information can be found in Step 1 of the PREPARE website and on Page 3 of the easy-to-read advance directive.

A good medical decision maker is a family member or friend who:

• is 18 years of age or older

• can talk to you about your wishes

• can be there for you when you need them

• you trust to follow your wishes and do what is best for you

• you trust to know your medical information

• is not afraid to ask doctors questions and speak up about your wishes

Does my medical decision maker have a say in BOTH my health care and my finances?

A medical decision maker, sometimes also called a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare ONLY has a say about your medical care. They do not have a say about your finances. There is a separate durable power of attorney for finances form that can be filled out. Ask your social worker or lawyer about these separate forms.

Does having a medical decision maker mean only that person gets to make the decisions?

Often times, a group of family members and/or friends will come together to make healthcare decisions. When this occurs, conflict may result. This is why it is recommended that one person is named as the decision maker/healthcare agent/spokesperson to speak for the group. A secondary person can also be named as an alternative or backup.

Does my medical decision maker have a say in BOTH my health care and my finances?

A medical decision maker, sometimes also called a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, ONLY has a say about someone’s medical care. The medical decision maker does NOT have a say about your/their finances. There is a separate durable power of attorney for finances form that can be filled out. Ask your social worker or lawyer about these separate forms.

What about Conservatorship?

People who are conserved are those individuals whose doctors and lawyers have determined they can no longer make their own medical decisions and who have not yet filled out an advance directive naming a medical decision maker. In this case, a court appoints another party to be a conservator. This conservator can then make medical decisions for this person. They cannot fill out an advance directive for this person, but they can talk with the medical team and be involved in directing medical care for that person.

This is why it is important to name someone you trust to be your medical decision maker. You may even consider naming a back-up in case the first person cannot help when you need it.

Who will make decisions for me if my medical decision maker dies or becomes ill?

If the chosen medical decisions maker can no longer help anymore because of death or illness, the medical team will usually turn to the next of kin or a family member. An advance directive allows people to name an alternative or backup decision maker, which can be a good idea.

Who can be a medical decision maker?

A medical decision maker must be at least 18 years old. This person should be someone they can trust to make medical decisions for them. It is important that the person knows they have been chosen for this role. Remember, a medical decision maker cannot be a doctor or someone who works at the hospital or clinic, unless they are a family member.