We all plan to live long, healthy, and happy lives. Plans change though, and injuries or illnesses can change people’s lives. It’s why we should prepare for the worst.
Data shows that 66% of adults in the US have experienced the death of a loved one in the last five years. This has pushed many Americans to think about the kind of care they want to have in the end. Only 22% have documented their end-of-life care plans though.
End-of-life care refers to medical care and support during the final stages of one's life. It entails making crucial medical and ethical decisions that honor a person’s wishes. It’s a personal and often complex decision.
Declining health or unexpected situations could make it hard to express your preferences. A Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA) will ensure someone advocates for you.
What Does MPOA Stand For?
MPOA stands for Medical Power of Attorney. You can use this legal document to appoint someone you trust to make medical decisions. These individuals are your healthcare agent or proxy. They’ll only stand in for you if you can't. For example, you're incapacitated because of an illness or injury.
Your designated healthcare agent ensures any healthcare decisions follow your wishes and values. This proxy will follow any specific instructions outlined in the MPOA document. This can include decisions about treatments, surgeries, and medications. It can also detail your preferred life-support measures and end-of-life care.
An MPOA is a vital part of any advanced healthcare planning. It will give you peace of mind because someone you trust will advocate for you. This document prevents uncertainty and lets doctors know what steps they can take. It also reduces family conflicts and ensures they respect your healthcare preferences.
Why is an MPOA Important?
Forrest Gump said it best when he said that life is like a box of chocolates; you’ll never know what you'll get. We want to always remain in control of our lives. But there are situations where we lose that. This is especially challenging and painful when it involves our health.
An MPOA is a great tool for ensuring healthcare preferences are always followed. Here are other reasons why you should have one:
Some medical emergencies could leave you unable to communicate. An MPOA ensures decisions made about your health follow your values or beliefs. Do you want to pursue aggressive treatment or focus on comfort care? This document outlines your choice on these and many other issues.
Medical issues are stressful for everyone. Your loved ones could disagree over what they think is best for you. These arguments can lead to emotional strain and could delay your medical care. Appointing someone to make decisions eliminates ambiguity. It also minimizes the risk of disagreements.
A person’s life or death sometimes depends on how fast they receive treatment. An MPOA acts as a roadmap for your doctors and medical team. Your medical proxy will relay your choice to them. This will help them provide you with the best possible care based on your choice.
Making life-and-death decisions for a loved one is the hardest thing anyone can do. It drains your emotions. It can take a toll on your physical and mental health. You can relieve your loved ones of this burden by appointing an MPOA. Your agent has a clear mandate of your wishes and will make sure it’s followed.
The courts might appoint a guardian to decide for you if there’s no MPOA. This is often a time-consuming and expensive process. It’s also an impersonal one. You can safeguard your interests by documenting your wishes. Appointing someone you trust to carry out your MPOA adds another layer of protection.
An MPOA is more than a legal document. It’s a way to ensure your voice is always heard even when you can’t speak for yourself. You'll have peace of mind since someone trusted is advocating for you. The decisions they'll make align with your values and preferences.
