(Snippets from the frontline)
A stranger making your medical decisions
Who you marry, what car you drive, or where you live are personal decisions. But, would you want your medical decisions made by a stranger?
Nowadays when facing hospital admission, you must have legal paperwork in place. Urgent decisions usually have to be made, and with incapacitation, a designee should be appointed beforehand.
If not, the hospital might legally choose someone you don’t know… a stranger. With extreme illness costing the hospital money (especially those on Medicare), be aware your interests may not be well served. Horror stories abound.
Therefore, make sure you have:
- a Will;
- Advanced Directive;
- Power of Attorney designee for health and finance;
- DNR status or POLST.
Look these up if you don’t know what they are. See an elder law attorney, go online, or visit your local senior center for paperwork. Review them yearly.
No matter one’s age or health, have a discussion concerning your healthcare wishes with loved ones and your doctor. Get signed legal paperwork in place before a medical catastrophe occurs.
You should be the one to make personal decisions about your healthcare…not a stranger.
Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D.
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