Transitioning from Pediatric to

Adult Healthcare

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Choosing the Right Adult Doctor

When your child becomes a young adult, it's time to transition from pediatric care to adult healthcare. Parents should help their young adult decide:

• Do they want an internal medicine doctor (adult primary care)?

• Or would they prefer a family doctor where parents can remain involved in care?

 

Medical Records & Summary

When transferring to a new doctor:

Request a 1–2 page medical summary to avoid overwhelming the new provider.

Include:

• Past medical/surgical history

• Current diagnoses

• Medication list

• Active specialists

• Communication tips that worked with the previous doctor

• Immunization record (especially if attending college)

 

Legal Documents at Age 18

Once your child turns 18, you can no longer make medical decisions on their behalf without legal authority—even if they have a disability.

Important documents to have in place:

• Guardianship (if the individual cannot make medical decisions)

• Power of Attorney (POA) for healthcare and/or finances

• Healthcare Representative/Agent Designation

Without these, doctors may:

• Exclude you from appointments

• Deny access to medical records

• Block your input on medication, treatment, or surgeries

 Click here to learn more about Guardianship and POA

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What If I’m Told I Can’t Make My Own Medical Decisions?

If your doctor believes you are not capable of making your own healthcare decisions, you still have rights—and options for who can help advocate for your care.

Can Someone Make Medical Decisions for Me?

Yes, but only if:

• You legally authorize them, OR

• A doctor determines you lack capacity and someone is legally designated to step in

 

Power of Attorney (POA)

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows someone you trust to:

• Make medical decisions on your behalf

• Handle financial or legal matters (depending on the type of POA)

Medical POA is often used if a person is unconscious, has a developmental disability, or is mentally incapacitated.

 

Why it's important:
Without a POA in place, doctors are not legally required to include parents or family in medical decisions—even if you're their child.

 

Healthcare Representative

A Healthcare Representative is:

• Someone you choose in writing (such as a parent, adult sibling, or trusted friend)

• Authorized to make healthcare decisions, including life-sustaining treatment, if you cannot speak for yourself

You still have the right to accept or refuse any decisions they make.

 

Healthcare Agent

A Healthcare Agent is a person you appoint (usually through a Living Will or Advance Directive) to make decisions based on your wishes.

• They must follow your healthcare instructions—even if they personally disagree

• If your wishes are unknown, they must act in your best interest

Key difference: A Healthcare Agent has a stronger legal obligation to follow your stated preferences compared to a general representative.