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Sharing Your Wishes

Whom do you want to make decisions for you if you are not able to make your own, both on financial matters and health care decisions? The same person may not be right for both.In February of 2010 the New York State Senate passed the Family Health Care Decisions Act (FHCDA) that created a legal way for the appointment of a health care surrogate to make health care decisions for individuals who are not able to. Giving patients a voice through family members and loved ones,  unneeded suffering and the financial costs associated with care that neither the patient nor family may support is avoided.
What medical treatments and care are acceptable? Are there some that you oppose?
  • Do you wish to be resuscitated if you stop breathing and/or your heart stops?
  • Do you want to be hospitalized or stay at home, or somewhere else, if you are seriously or terminally ill?
  • How will your care be paid for? Do you have adequate insurance? What might you have overlooked that will be costly at a time when your loved ones are distracted by grieving over your condition or death?
  • What actually happens when a person dies? Do you want to know more about what might happen? Will your loved ones be prepared for the decisions they may have to make?
Planning for end-of-life is not only important for you, but is a gift for family members and loved-ones who may not know your values, thoughts and wishes. Although conversations may be difficult to start, they can prevent unfortunate disputes and unresolved feelings that others may experience if they do not know your wishes. For more information, download a Sharing Your Wishes Informational Booklet and Planning Guide.
Health Care Proxy

Under New York law, an individual may appoint someone you trust, for example, a family member or close friend, to decide about medical treatment if you loses the ability to decide for yourself. You can do this by using a health care proxy in which a health care agent is appointed to make sure that health care providers follow your wishes. The agent can also decide how your wishes apply as your medical condition changes. Hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and other health care professionals must follow the agents' decisions as if they were the patients'. You can give your health care agent as little or as much authority as you want. You can allow the agent to decide about all health care or only certain treatments. To download a Health Care Proxy form, click New York State Health Care Proxy Form.

What to do with your Healthcare Proxy Form

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Make copies of your proxy form for your agent and anyone else who may be involved with your care including your physician, members of your family, and your faith leader. Keep the original in a place that is easily found. If you frequent a healthcare facility, ask the your proxy form be uploaded into your electronic medical record.

Say "Thank You" to your healthcare agent with a Sharing Your Wishes Note Card. Educating your healthcare agent on your wishes at end-of-life is essential. To help explain your healthcare choices, link to Understanding Your Healthcare Choices. Common medical treatments are defined and can help you in your conversation.

What is the difference between a Living Will and Health Care Proxy?
A living will is a written statement of an individual's wishes regarding medical treatment. The statement is to be followed if the individual is unable to provide instructions at the time medical decisions need to be made. The health care proxy is significantly different from the living will in that it empowers another person (the agent) to make health care decisions if the patient cannot do so herself. The living will, on the other hand, has no such provision but enables a person to express her own choices regarding medical treatment. It makes sense to utilize both a living will and a health care proxy. To download a Living Will, click here.
End-of-Life Decision Making Resources
PLANNING YOUR HEALTH CARE IN ADVANCE- How to Make Your Wishes Known and Honored
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Sharing Your Wishes was made possible through the generous support of the Community Health Foundation for Western and Central New York.