Frequently Asked Questions about Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA)

by Lizzy Miles (@LizzyMiles_MSW)Sometimes when we encourage patients to complete a Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA), the patient declines the offer based on mistaken assumptions they have about the document. We never want to push a patient into doing something they don ' t want to do, however, sometimes their resistance is based on a misunderstanding. In an attempt to help address mistaken beliefs and/or concerns, I created a FAQ for our patients. This also can be used for staff as talking points for the discussion.I don ’t need one, I am my own decision-maker and I always plan to be.As long as you are able to speak for yourself, you are your own decision-maker. However, as part of the disease process, many hospice patients get to a point where they are unable to express their own wishes. When you designate a HCPOA who understands your point of view, they can step in and tell us what you would want in a situation when you ’re not able to tell us.I want to maintain my independence. I don ’t want to give up control.A HCPOA only has authority to speak when you are no longer able to share your own preferences. As long as you are still able to indicate your wishes, will we ask YOU.I don ’t have anyone I trust to make my health care decisions.If you don ’t have a designated decision-maker, you could end up having someone you don’t want or don’t know making decisions for you if you can’t express your own wishes. If you don’t know of anyone in your friends/fami...
Source: Pallimed: A Hospice and Palliative Medicine Blog - Category: Palliative Care Tags: advanced directives communication conversation hcpoa lizzy miles social work Source Type: blogs