There are plenty of paths you can take when facing a big healthcare choice. Using free power of attorney templates, for example, will help to secure your full medical rights. In this post, we set out how to prepare for these situations and get all the information you need.
Gather Any Relevant Documents
Your first step should be to collect your medical history. This will be instrumental in figuring out a treatment option that works for you. You can also find details on your family’s health, including if there’s anyone else who dealt with what you’re going through.
If your current records don’t have all your medications and allergies, update them. This could be a big factor in which treatment works out best. You should also look over your current insurance policy. It may be too late to budget — but you can still get peace of mind about any deductibles.
A care team can only help you when they know what’s best for you. For example, you might have an allergy that affects which medications they can give you after surgery.
Research Your Treatment Options
One of your rights as a patient is to decide your own treatment. Your doctor will naturally want to advise you on the best course of action. But the final choice is still in your hands. You can get a second opinion about the right type of treatment from other experts in the meantime.
Make sure to ask your doctor as many questions as possible about your upcoming decision. For example, if you are going under the scalpel, ask them about the side effects of anesthesia. You can only consent to treatment once you know all the details — including any risks.
There might be clinical trials for new treatments available nearby. Some people even go to other countries for these and other forms of specialist care. There are so many routes you could take. So don’t rush into one unless you’ve also taken a look at all the other options.
Get a Healthcare POA
A medical power of attorney gives somebody (usually a family member) power over your health choices. For example, if you’re entering a medically induced coma. You need to be sure that the people you love respect your wishes. Pick someone who loves you but who you know can make tough choices under pressure.
Make sure your medical POA fits your state’s requirements. Does it need two witnesses? Will a notary public have to sign it? You can only guarantee you get your way if it’s legally binding. Use a pre-made online template that comes with each field you need to fill out. Don’t be afraid to add your own if you want to put specific limits on your treatment.
Alternatively, the decision you’re making might be on someone else’s behalf. This is never easy, but it’s even harder when you’re choosing for a loved one. You have to respect their preferences at every stage. Your love for them can’t outweigh their medical rights. In some cases, this could mean shutting off their life support.
Plan Your Affairs
Even routine treatments can go very wrong. That’s a risk every patient accepts. You should plan your affairs as a precaution before your decision. This can include putting together a will or even a family trust to keep your assets in order.
This won’t be necessary in most cases. Your doctor will explain the risks (or side effects) ahead and work to avoid them where they can. But it’s still a chance you can’t afford to take.
You need a plan in place in case something goes wrong. Your family might disagree about how to help you if you don’t. This stage also helps give you peace of mind. You’ll know that no matter what happens, your family will have everything they need to face it.
Consider Counselling
Big health decisions are naturally very stressful. Support groups or private counselors can help you remember that you’re not alone. These choices (especially if they involve surgery) are often scary ones. You don’t have to suffer alone — and it’s important to lean on your family where you can. The last thing they would want you to do is suffer in silence.
Many medical experts recommend pre-op counseling. This lets you work through any concerns, such as worries about a procedure going wrong. The counselor will also help you understand if, for example, you’ll have limited mobility for your first few weeks of recovery. You could even set up sessions with your family in case they’re worried about the treatment too.
Final Thoughts
Nobody ever feels fully ready to make a big health decision. But you could still make everything easier for yourself with thorough planning and research. A medical POA is only one part of this. But it’s still absolutely vital for making sure your family respects your wishes.