Being prepared doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. One of the most meaningful things you can do for yourself—and the people who love you—is to choose someone who can speak for you if you ever can’t speak for yourself.
That person is called a Health Care Surrogate.
What is a Health Care Surrogate?
A Health Care Surrogate is the person who becomes your voice in a time of need. If you’re unable to communicate, they help make sure your wishes are understood—so your medical care aligns with your values, your preferences, and what matters most to you.
It’s not always an easy topic to think about, but many families find that having this conversation actually brings them closer. It can replace uncertainty with clarity—and fear with peace of mind.
Step 1: Choose Your Health Care Surrogate
To get started, take a few quiet minutes and consider these questions:
- Who in your life would speak up for you if you could not speak for yourself?
- Does this person know your wishes if something happened medically and someone needed to make decisions on your behalf?
- Have you thought about how you would want to be treated if something impaired your ability to care for yourself or left you unable to speak regarding life-saving or life-altering treatments?
A gentle reminder: your Health Care Surrogate does not have to be your spouse. It can be anyone you trust—sometimes a family member, a close friend, or another supportive person who understands your values and will advocate for what you want.
What should you talk about?
Once you’ve chosen your surrogate, your first conversation doesn’t have to cover everything at once. Start simple by discussing how you would want decisions handled if any of the following happened:
- A life-threatening injury
- A heart attack
- A stroke
- A need for a feeding tube
- A need for a blood transfusion
- A need for artificial ventilation
A gentle reminder
Choosing a Health Care Surrogate is about honoring your voice and easing the burden on the people you love. It’s one small step that can bring a lot of peace of mind.
Follow along with us this year as we share the next steps in our Simply Be Prepared series.
Ready for the first step?
Say yes to the first step—call today: 904-731-4002.
