A growing number of Americans are aging without a spouse, children, or another appropriate person they can rely on to make critical healthcare decisions. Episode 7 of GSL Local Business Spotlight explores a professional solution many people don't even know exists.

Most of us probably don't spend much time thinking about who would make our healthcare decisions if we suddenly couldn't make them ourselves.

We assume someone will be there.

A spouse. An adult child. A sibling. A close friend.

But what happens when there isn't someone appropriate for that responsibility?

That question is at the center of the newest episode of GSL Local Business Spotlight.

In Episode 7, GSL Media founder Robert Rippey sits down with Jason Chen, PhD, HEC-C, founder of HealthCarePOA, for a conversation about healthcare decision-making, bioethics, patient advocacy, entrepreneurship—and a growing population known as solo agers.

Solo agers may not have a spouse, adult child, relative, or trusted friend who is willing, available, or appropriate to make healthcare decisions for them if they become unable to make those decisions themselves.

It's a problem with an unusual complication:

Many of the people who could eventually face it don't realize a professional solution exists.

Jason and HealthCarePOA are working to change that.

When most people hear the words healthcare power of attorney, they probably think about a legal document.

But there's another question behind that document:

Who is actually going to serve in that role?

During our conversation, Jason explains what it means to serve as a professional healthcare power-of-attorney agent and why someone might choose a professional rather than relying on a friend or family member.

We also explore the extraordinary level of trust involved.

When someone designates another person to make healthcare decisions on their behalf, they're essentially saying:

“If there comes a day when I can't speak for myself, I trust you to speak for me.”

How does someone prepare for that responsibility?

How does an agent learn what a person values before a medical crisis ever happens?

What happens when an unexpected situation arises that wasn't specifically discussed beforehand?

And could there actually be advantages to having a decision-maker who isn't experiencing the same emotional pressures as members of the patient's family?

Jason brings his background in philosophy, bioethics, healthcare ethics, and patient advocacy into that discussion.

The episode also explores a deceptively simple question:

What happens if you're single, don't have children, become unable to communicate, and haven't designated an appropriate person to make healthcare decisions for you?

That's where the conversation moves beyond healthcare documents and into planning for real life.

We discuss who should be thinking about these issues, common misconceptions surrounding healthcare powers of attorney, when people should begin planning, and what someone can do if they realize:

“I don't actually have anybody I'd feel comfortable giving this responsibility to.”

Because GSL Local Business Spotlight is ultimately a show about the people behind Central Ohio businesses, we also talk entrepreneurship.

Jason faces an interesting business challenge with HealthCarePOA:

Before a prospective client can decide whether his company is the right choice, that person first has to understand that professional healthcare power-of-attorney services exist at all.

That makes education an important part of building the business.

Jason shares how HealthCarePOA came about, how his professional background shaped the company, and some of the challenges of developing a business within a relatively unfamiliar professional category.

It's a fascinating conversation at the intersection of healthcare, ethics, entrepreneurship, and positioning.

🎙️ GSL Media LLC Insights — Podcast
https://insights.gslmediallc.com/podcast

🎧 Listen on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gxvK1aBZlyaexuX30KXfK?si=rheX4EgKRYqBtATNPVO8pQ

📺 Watch on YouTube
https://youtu.be/vXwXsFD3HD0

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GSL Local Business Spotlight is produced by GSL Media LLC and features conversations with local business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders throughout Central Ohio.

Are you a Central Ohio business owner or community leader with a story or expertise worth sharing? GSL Media is currently looking for future guests for GSL Local Business Spotlight. Connect with GSL Media to be considered for an upcoming episode.