FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/05/2022
Greencastle, Indiana.
A healthcare representative is a person chosen to make healthcare decisions, including end-of-life decisions, for someone should that person become unable to make his or her own decisions.  This is a very important role.  The person who has chosen you trusts you to make the decisions that he or she would make if able. 

If you are going to be someone’s healthcare representative, the most important thing you can do is talk to that person about their wishes as soon as possible and get a copy of the person’s advance directive.  The decisions that a healthcare representative makes in the future must be based on what the other person would want, even if those wishes are different from what you would want for yourself.  If the healthcare representative does not know the patient’s wishes, the healthcare representative must make decisions in good faith and in the patient’s best interest. 

Your duties as a healthcare representative depend upon what the person’s advance directive says and upon state law.  Your duties begin when a doctor determines the person has lost the ability to make healthcare decisions on his or her own.  In general, you will have the authority to make any and all decisions a patient would make for him or herself, if able.  This includes:

• Conferring with the medical team, receiving the same information the individual would receive, and reviewing the medical chart.
• Asking questions and getting explanations.
• Discussing treatment options.
• Requesting consultations and second opinions.
• Consenting to or refusing/stopping medical tests or treatments, including life-sustaining treatment.
• Authorizing a transfer to another physician or facility.

The toughest decisions may involve starting or stopping life-sustaining treatments, especially if family members or healthcare providers disagree.  That is why we say completing advance directives is truly a gift to your loved ones – a gift of peace of mind. 

This information is being provided by Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association.   For more information visit www.pchpca.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..