What If They Get Sick and Can't Communicate Their Wishes?
The thought of a child facing a serious illness or medical emergency while away at college is one of the greatest concerns for parents. When young adults leave home, they gain independence, but that also means parents may no longer have legal authority to make medical decisions for them in an emergency. Without the right legal documents in place, families can be left in a difficult and stressful position.
Dealing with Medical Crises
Imagine a scenario where a college student is in an accident or develops a sudden, serious illness, rendering them unconscious. In such cases, critical decisions must be made—whether to perform surgery, administer certain medications, or use life-support measures. Without clear legal guidance, healthcare providers must make those decisions based on standard protocols, potentially overlooking a young adult’s personal or religious beliefs. Additionally, privacy laws such as HIPAA restrict access to medical records, which means parents might not even be informed of their child’s condition.
The Role of an Advance Health Care Directive
An Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) ensures that a young adult’s medical preferences are documented and legally recognized. This document serves two primary purposes:
- Medical Instructions – The directive allows individuals to outline their specific medical preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments, organ donation, and other critical care decisions. This helps ensure that their wishes are respected in any situation where they cannot communicate.
- Health Care Agent Designation – The AHCD designates a trusted person—often a parent—to make medical decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated. Without this document, medical providers may be required to follow hospital policies rather than family guidance, and parents may need court intervention to gain decision-making authority.
Ensuring Accessibility in Emergencies
Having an Advance Health Care Directive is only part of the equation. It is equally important to ensure that medical providers have access to it when needed. Students should provide a copy to their primary care physician and the campus health center, if applicable. Hospitals often require immediate access to these documents, and delays in retrieving them can impact critical medical decisions.
Additionally, young adults should share a copy with trusted friends or roommates. In an emergency, a close friend is often the first person contacted by medical responders or campus officials. If that friend has access to the AHCD or knows where to find it, they can help ensure that healthcare providers receive the document quickly. Some families also opt to store the directive in a secure digital format accessible through a smartphone or an online health records portal.
Peace of Mind Through Preparation
For parents sending their children off to college, ensuring they have an Advance Health Care Directive in place—and making sure it is easily accessible—provides significant peace of mind. Taking these steps ensures that if a medical emergency arises, young adults receive care in alignment with their values and that their families can focus on supporting them without unnecessary legal or bureaucratic obstacles.