Incapacity: planning for when you can't take care of yourself
You should seriously consider also preparing paperwork giving someone (or several people) the legal right to look after decisions regarding your health and your assets if you are alive, but can no longer look after yourself. Giving someone this important power also carries the risk that the power might be misused. Choose someone you trust implicitly, who understands you, and who is willing to serve as your legal representative. It can be a spouse, family member, or friend. While anyone over the age of majority can be named, make sure that the person you choose has the life experience and emotional maturity to make the decisions and deal with the tasks they may have to perform in this role.Additionally, it is wise to have documents in place should the time come when you are not able to make health care decisions for yourself. All Canadian provinces allow a person to put their wishes about treatment in writing, ahead of time. This usually allows a person to appoint someone else (a third party or parties) to receive medical information and to make treatment decisions, since no one knows all the various treatment possibilities which he or she may be exposed to in future. The name of the document in which these issues are addressed varies from province to province. You can use your health care document to give specific instructions about daily living needs, serious health situations or types of treatment.
Authorizing someone to act for you for financial and personal reasons is an excellent insurance policy for any adult — whether old or young, in poor health or good health. Do the planning now and put the documents in place to avoid possible complications later. Legislation and terminology vary from province to province. MFC consultants are prepared to assist you with information as it relates to your province of residence. Contact your nearest MFC Consultant today.