When choosing a healthcare agent—a person who will carry out your health care decisions should you become incapacitated—you will want to choose a person who, overall, shares your views regarding life and medical decisions. Your healthcare agent might be a family member, a friend, someone in your social circle or spiritual community, or your attorney. Typically, it is a good idea to also choose an alternate agent in the event your first choice is unable to step in. You will choose just how much authority your healthcare agent will have over your medical care.