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PAD Stories

"This time, with a PAD, I did not receive any treatments that I did not want. They were very respectful.  I really felt like the hospital took better care of me because I had my PAD. In fact, I think it's the best care that I've ever received.” Click for more...
 
Home arrow FAQs arrow If I am unable to make decisions, can I choose someone to speak for me?
If I am unable to make decisions, can I choose someone to speak for me? PDF Print E-mail

Yes.  This is done through a document called a Health Care Power of Attorney, or a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, sometimes also called a health care agent, surrogate, or proxy decisionmaker.

You can appoint any capable and competent adult who is 18 years or older who is not your health care provider.

THIS IS NOT SO IN STATES THAT HAVE A SEPARATE MENTAL HEALTH CARE AGENT AND ALSO A REGULAR HEALTH CARE POWER OF ATTORNEY. CONCEIVABLY BOTH COULD BE AUTHORIZED SIMULTEOUSLY. 
 
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Bazelon Center
The National Resource Center on Psychiatric Advance Directives is a collaboration between The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center and the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, funded by a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
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(C) 2008 National Resource Center on Psychiatric Advance Directives