Appointing trusted decision-makers ensures your wishes are honored when you can no longer make decisions yourself. We recommend selecting at least three Advocates—one for medical treatment, one for financial matters, and one for spiritual or personal guidance:
Healthcare Advocate
Your Healthcare Advocate is someone you trust to support your healthcare choices if you are unable to express them yourself. This caring individual will help ensure your medical treatment aligns with your values, preferences, and beliefs. They can be a comforting presence, working with healthcare providers and loved ones to make sure your wishes are honored with compassion.
Consider choosing someone who:
•Understands your healthcare priorities and respects your values
•Can remain calm and supportive in medical situations
Financial Advocate
•Feels comfortable asking questions and ensuring your voice is heard
The Following are selected guides we are recommending you should use for more guidance and advise:
The Conversation Project – Your Guide to Choosing a Health Care Proxy
National Institute on Aging – Choosing a Health Care Proxy
Harvard Health – How to Choose and Guide Your Health Care Proxy
CaringInfo – Choosing a Health Care Agent, Surrogate, or Proxy
Compassion & Choices – End-of-Life Decisions Guide & Toolkit
Is Death With Dignity Possible? Acceptable?
Your Financial Advocate, formally known as a Financial Power of Attorney (POA) is someone who can help manage financial matters in a way that aligns with your plans and wishes. This trusted person may assist with practical details like paying bills or ensuring that your financial resources are handled responsibly. Their role is to provide reassurance and support, helping to create a sense of security for you and your loved ones.
Consider choosing someone who:
•Is organized and financially responsible
•Acts with care, honesty, and your best interests in mind
•Can provide stability and peace of mind for you and your family
The Following are selected guides we are recommending you should use for more guidance and advise:
The Ultimate Guide to Financial Power of Attorney
Who should I name as my financial power of attorney?
Trust & Will – Financial Power of Attorney: Role and Responsibilities
How To Choose an Agent for Your Power of Attorney
What is a Power of Attorney and Who Should You Choose
What Is a Power of Attorney (POA)? A Comprehensive Guide
Tips: How to Choose a Power of Attorney.
Faith & Spiritual Advocate
Your Faith & Spiritual Advocate is someone who will be there to nurture your heart, soul, and well-being. This person understands what brings you comfort and meaning—whether it’s faith, traditions, or simply the presence of loved ones. They can help ensure that your personal values and beliefs are honored, offering support and encouragement to both you and those closest to you.
Consider choosing someone who:
•Understands and respects what is most meaningful to you
•Can offer comfort, encouragement, and emotional support
•Helps create a peaceful, loving environment for you and your loved ones
The Following are selected guides we are recommending you should use for more guidance and advise:
Marie Curie – Providing spiritual care
Hospice Foundation of America – Spirituality and End-of-Life Care
The African-American Spiritual and Ethical Guide to End-of-Life Care
Spiritual care at the end of life; how to reduce distress as we face dying
Spiritual and religious needs of people at the end of life
If You Are Spiritual but Not Religious, How Do You Want to Die?
