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  <title>How to Choose a Healthcare Proxy: Questions to Ask and Conversations to Have</title>
  <description> Who would speak for you if you experienced a medical emergency and could not make healthcare decisions for yourself?  In this episode, Robin Shapiro of Well Said Health joins us to discuss how to choose a healthcare proxy—the person you authorize to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you lose the ability to communicate or make informed choices.  Robin Shapiro is the founder of Well Said Health and a passionate advocate for helping individuals and families communicate clearly about healthcare choices.  Robin explains why this is not only an issue for older adults or people with serious illness. She encourages adults to put a healthcare proxy in place when they turn 18, especially before leaving home for college.  Robin offers practical guidance for selecting the right person, including the importance of choosing someone who:    Understands your values, goals, and priorities    Can remain calm during an emergency or emotionally difficult situation    Is willing to speak up and advocate for your wishes    Can communicate effectively with clinicians and family members    Will honor your preferences, even if those preferences differ from their own beliefs    Is available and willing to accept the responsibility    The conversation also addresses an equally important question: what should you talk about after selecting a proxy? Robin shares the kinds of values, treatment preferences, fears, hopes, and quality-of-life considerations that can help a proxy make decisions with greater confidence. Naming someone is important, but having ongoing conversations with that person is what gives the appointment real meaning.  For people who do not have a trusted family member or friend available to serve in this role, Robin discusses the option of hiring a professional advocate. These professionals can help represent a person’s stated wishes and provide informed, independent support when healthcare decisions need to be made.  Robin also recommends resources that can help individuals and families begin these often difficult—but deeply meaningful—conversations.  Resources mentioned    Robin Shapiro / Well Said Health: WellSaidHealth.com    Free webinar: How to Create Your Own Healthcare Proxy October 7, presented through HealthAdvocateX    HealthAdvocateX: HealthAdvocateX   Connect with Harbor Hospice &amp;amp;amp; Beacon Hospice:                Follow&amp;amp;nbsp;Harbor Hospice on Facebook. Follow&amp;amp;nbsp;Beacon Hospice on Facebook. For more information about Harbor Hospice, please visit&amp;amp;nbsp;harborhospice.com For more information about Beacon Hospice, please visit&amp;amp;nbsp;beacon.life For more information about HarborCare &amp;amp;amp; BeaconCare Palliative Services, please visit&amp;amp;nbsp;myharborcare.com Please send your questions or comments to the podcast host at&amp;amp;nbsp;jfenter@harborhcs.com.&amp;amp;nbsp;                    </description>
  <author_name>Lighting the Path</author_name>
  <author_url>https://sites.libsyn.com/434361</author_url>
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