If you haven’t named a surrogate (see above), your doctor will ask your closest available relative or friend for assistance. Most of the time, this works. Sometimes, though, everyone doesn’t agree about what to do. That’s why it is helpful to indicate in advance what you want to happen if you can’t speak for yourself. Through an Advance Health Care Directive, you can designate who you want to speak on your behalf and even what kinds of treatments you want.