Your living will likely details your medical wishes that should be observed in the event that you become incapacitated. But you also need to name someone who can help to ensure that such wishes are fulfilled and who can make other medically-related decisions not detailed in your documentation on your behalf. To do this, you will need to make a health care surrogate designation.
What will your health care surrogate need to know, once you’ve designated them to assume this role in the event of your incapacitation?
Information in your living will
Your surrogate will need to access your living will when you are incapacitated. Thus, you’ll want to consider giving them a copy of your signed living will to learn about your wishes in advance of any concerns arising. You should also communicate with them regularly to keep them informed, for example, when you make updates to your living will, perhaps you may change your mind about a particular treatment, for example.
Information about your health care providers
If you have primary health care providers and any other vital member in your health care team, your surrogate should have their names and contact information. These parties should also have your surrogate’s details. This way, they can easily contact each other if need be.
What about your alternate surrogate?
It’s crucial to name an alternate surrogate who will assume duties if your health care surrogate is unable to do so if/when the time comes. Your alternate should be equally informed. Since they may need to take on the role abruptly, there may be no time for them to be brought up to speed at the last minute.
If you have questions about this information, consider learning more about this designation to more effectively empower you to make informed decisions.
