What’s The First Step in The Advance Care Planning Process?

What’s the first step in the advance care planning process?

Choose an advocate, also called a health care agent. This person would speak for you if you couldn’t speak for yourself.

This should be someone who:

• Knows you well

• Is calm in a crisis

• Understands how you would make the decision if you were able

• Is not afraid to ask questions and advocate to doctors

• Can reassure and communicate with your family

Your advocate can be a close relative or friend, but should be someone you trust to follow your wishes.

Find conversation starters on the OptumCare website.

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