Healthcare Proxy: What It Is and Why You Need One

When you can’t speak for yourself during a medical crisis, a healthcare proxy, a legal document that names a person to make medical decisions on your behalf. Also known as a durable power of attorney for health care, it ensures your wishes are followed—even if you’re unconscious, confused, or too sick to talk. This isn’t just for seniors or people with serious illnesses. Accidents happen. Strokes strike without warning. A healthcare proxy gives your family peace of mind and removes the burden of guessing what you’d want.

It’s not the same as a living will, a document that states your preferences for treatments like ventilators or feeding tubes. A living will lists what you do or don’t want. A healthcare proxy lets a real person interpret those wishes in real time, adjusting for unexpected situations. That’s why most experts recommend having both. The proxy makes decisions based on your values, not just a checklist. They can talk to doctors, ask questions, and push for care you’d choose—even if it’s not written down.

Choosing the right person matters more than the paperwork. It’s not about who’s oldest, richest, or closest by blood. It’s about who knows you best, stays calm under pressure, and won’t let guilt or family drama sway their judgment. Talk to them. Tell them your fears, your values, your deal-breakers. Do you want to stay home if possible? Would you refuse a feeding tube? Would you want to be kept alive on machines if recovery is unlikely? Write it down. Share it. Update it if your mind changes.

Doctors and hospitals won’t automatically know who to call. Without a signed healthcare proxy, they may turn to next of kin—even if that person has no idea what you’d want. In some cases, courts get involved, delaying care for days. A properly completed proxy avoids all that. It’s free in most states, doesn’t require a lawyer, and can be done in minutes with a simple form from your doctor’s office or state health department.

And it’s not just about saying no to treatment. It’s also about saying yes—to pain relief, to comfort, to being surrounded by loved ones. A good proxy fights for your quality of life, not just your survival. That’s why this isn’t a legal formality. It’s a gift to the people you care about—and to yourself.

Below, you’ll find practical guides on related topics: how to talk to your doctor about end-of-life care, what to include in an advance directive, how to handle family disagreements over treatment, and how medications and treatments tie into these decisions. These aren’t abstract ideas. They’re real tools for real people preparing for real moments.