Vermont Statutes Title 33. Human Services, § 7306. Resident's representative

(1) has been adjudicated incompetent;

(2) has been found by his or her physician to be medically incapable of understanding or exercising the rights granted under this chapter; or

(3) exhibits a communication barrier.

(c)(1) A resident's representative identified in subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall make decisions for the resident by attempting to determine what the resident would have wanted under the circumstances. In making the determination, the resident's representative shall consider the following:

(2) If the resident's representative cannot determine what the resident would have wanted under the circumstances, the representative shall make a determination through an assessment of the resident's best interests. When making a decision for the resident on this basis, the representative shall not authorize the provision or withholding of health care on the basis of the resident's economic status or a preexisting, long-term mental or physical disability.

(3) When making a determination under this section, representatives shall not consider their own interests, wishes, values, or beliefs.