Sudden injury (such as concussion) or illness could abruptly take away your capacity to make decisions. That can happen to people of any age or stage of life. If it happened to you, would your family know your healthcare wishes? Who would speak on your behalf? Would their decisions reflect your wishes, beliefs and values?
Every adult Albertan (18 years of age or older) should have:
A personal directive is a legal document that specifies whom you have chosen to make personal, non-financial decisions on your behalf should you lose the mental capacity to make them due to illness or injury. It ensures that the person you choose is legally entitled to make personal decisions for you if you lose capacity. It gives you control over your future personal matters and brings peace of mind to you and your loved ones.
Preparing it prompts you to:
- think about your values and healthcare wishes,
- discuss them with your family,
- choose a trusted person (or persons) to speak on your behalf,
- and document a plan that reflects your goals.
You and your family can feel confident knowing that decisions made on your behalf will reflect your wishes.
The documents below are based on the Personal Directives Act in Alberta and are provided for information and guidance only. They are intended to foster open dialogue about crisis and end-of-life decisions with your spouse, parents, children or other close contacts. They are not a substitute for legal advice. Please consult a lawyer to create a customized Personal Directive, Enduring Power of Attorney agreement, and Will.
- Personal Directive Overview - This is intended for education and guidance only, as we cannot guarantee the completeness, accuracy or reliability of the information in relation to individual needs.
- "Catholic-Focused" Personal Directive Form - This document is an example of what you might develop. It shows the directive’s structure and type of instructions that could be included to reflect your beliefs and values. It is in Word, so you can edit it to suit your own wishes.
Planning for your future is a wise ‘peace of mind’ investment. A Personal Directive, Enduring Power of Attorney agreement, and Will can all help to reduce stress during times of crisis or grief. They can save time and money; and will help to ensure that your wishes are respected and followed.