Most of us know we should have healthcare planning documents that state our wishes and appoint someone to make health decisions for us if we are unable to make those decisions ourselves.
We sign the documents, put them somewhere safe, and feel a little better knowing that someone we trust can step in if needed.
But there is another part of healthcare planning that is easy to overlook: Can the person you have chosen actually find the information they need when they need it?
At Estate Planning Law Center, we help families prepare not only by putting the proper legal documents in place, but also by thinking through the practical information the people they trust may need during a medical crisis.
A healthcare agent may have the legal authority to make decisions for you, but that does not mean they automatically know your medical history, medications, doctors, diagnoses, or preferences.
When a medical crisis happens, your family may suddenly be expected to piece all of that information together while they are worried, overwhelmed, and trying to make important decisions.
A little organization beforehand can make a significant difference.
What Information Should Your Healthcare Agent Be Able to Find?
Ideally, your healthcare agent should be able to quickly locate basic information such as:
- Your primary care physician and specialists
- A current medication and supplement list
- Allergies and significant medical conditions
- Recent surgeries or hospitalizations
- Relevant medical history
- Insurance information
- Your preferred pharmacy
- Contact information for important family members
- Copies of your Healthcare Proxy and other healthcare planning documents
You don’t necessarily need a binder the size of a medical textbook. The goal is simply to create a reliable place where the important information can be found.
At Estate Planning Law Center, we encourage families to think of this information as a practical companion to their legal planning. The documents provide authority and instructions. Organized information can help the person serving on your behalf use those tools more effectively.
The Small Details Can Matter During a Crisis
Some of the most useful information isn’t necessarily medical information at all.
Do you use hearing aids? Where are they kept? Do you wear glasses? Which pair is your current prescription? Is there a religious, dietary, or personal preference that would be important to know during a hospitalization?
Do you have a pet at home that needs to be cared for if you are unexpectedly hospitalized? Who should be called if something happens?
These details may seem insignificant when everything is going well. During a crisis, they can become extremely important.
Medical Information Needs to Be Kept Current
Medical information changes constantly. A medication that was correct six months ago may no longer be correct today.
For that reason, organizing your information once isn’t enough. Consider reviewing it whenever you have a significant change in your health, medications, doctors, or insurance.
An annual review can also be a good habit, particularly when you are reviewing your estate planning documents.
At Estate Planning Law Center, we encourage families to treat estate planning as an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. Your legal documents and the practical information that supports them should continue to reflect your current circumstances.
Make Sure the Current Legal Documents Can Be Found
Don’t forget the legal documents themselves.
If you have updated the person you want to make healthcare decisions for you or changed your wishes, make sure the people who may need those documents know where the current versions are located.
An outdated document sitting in one drawer while the current version is somewhere else can create unnecessary confusion at exactly the wrong time.
Estate Planning Is Also About Protecting You During Your Lifetime
Estate planning is often associated with what happens after death. But some of the most important planning happens while you are still alive.
A Power of Attorney can help someone manage your finances. A Healthcare Proxy can identify the person you trust to make healthcare decisions when you cannot. Other healthcare planning documents can help communicate your wishes.
At Estate Planning Law Center, we help families coordinate these tools as part of a broader plan designed to provide clarity during incapacity as well as after death.
But these tools work best when they are supported by good information. The goal isn’t to anticipate every possible medical emergency. The goal is to make an already difficult situation a little easier for the people who may one day have to step in for you.
Could the Person You Trust Find What They Need?
Take a few minutes today to ask yourself: If I were suddenly hospitalized tomorrow, could the person I trust find everything they need to help me?
If the answer is noโor even “I’m not sure”โthat’s a good place to start.
At Estate Planning Law Center, we help families prepare for the future with comprehensive estate planning, Wills, trusts, Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Proxies, beneficiary planning, asset protection strategies, and other legal tools designed to make sure the different pieces of their plans work together.
If you have questions about whether your healthcare and incapacity planning documents are current, properly coordinated, and accessible to the people who may need them, Estate Planning Law Center is here to help.
Contact Estate Planning Law Center today to register for an upcoming workshop or schedule your initial planning meeting. We’ll help you review your existing healthcare and estate planning documents, identify potential gaps or outdated information, and develop a coordinated plan designed to give the people you trust clearer guidance when it matters most.
