Advance health care planning is an important part of preparing for the future, yet many people put it off or don’t know where to begin. If you’re new to advance care planning, this guide will provide you with a basic understanding of what it entails. Of course, you can always contact us here at the Slaton Schauer Law Firm, PLLC online or via phone at (512) 258-9455! With that, let’s take a quick look at some general considerations in advance healthcare planning:

First, it’s important to understand what advance health care planning means. It is the process of making decisions about the medical care you want to receive if you become unable to make those decisions for yourself. This can include decisions about life-sustaining treatments, such as mechanical ventilation, feeding tubes, and resuscitation.

To begin the process of advance health care planning, you should start by thinking about what medical treatments you would want to receive or not receive if you became seriously ill or injured. Consider the different scenarios that could arise, such as a serious accident, a terminal illness, or a sudden health crisis.

Next, it’s important to choose someone to be your health care agent, also known as a health care proxy or surrogate. This is the person who will make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself. Choose someone you trust who is willing to take on this responsibility.

Once you’ve identified your health care agent, it’s important to have a conversation with them about your wishes for medical treatment. This can be a difficult conversation, but it’s important to be clear and specific about your preferences. You may also want to put your wishes in writing, such as in a living will.

Finally, it’s important to share your advance health care plan with your health care providers, your family, and other important people in your life. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and knows your wishes for medical treatment if the need arises.

In summary, advance health care planning involves making decisions about the medical care you want to receive if you become unable to make those decisions for yourself. By starting the process of advance care planning and having open and honest conversations with your loved ones, you can ensure that your wishes for medical treatment are respected and that you have peace of mind for the future.