Personal Directive
A Personal Directive is a document that allows you to designate someone (Substitute Decision Maker) to make personal and medical decisions on your behalf if you're unable to do so. This can include decisions about your living arrangements, social interactions, and healthcare. It does not include finances. (For financial matters you need an Enduring Power of Attorney.)
Given that accidents can occur unexpectedly, potentially leading to a loss of capacity, it's wise to complete a personal directive while it's forefront in your thoughts.
A Personal Directive only comes into effect if a qualified healthcare professional deems you to lack capacity. It ensures that your personal wishes are followed even when you can't express them.
When preparing your personal directive, choose individuals you trust as your designate or agent, who will act in your best interests. They should understand your values and wishes.
If you don't have someone you trust, consider hiring someone from the Office of the Public Guardian. While they charge a fee for this service, they will ensure your personal and medical decisions are made properly and in your best interest.
Given that accidents can occur unexpectedly, potentially leading to a loss of capacity, it's wise to complete a personal directive while it's forefront in your thoughts.
A Personal Directive only comes into effect if a qualified healthcare professional deems you to lack capacity. It ensures that your personal wishes are followed even when you can't express them.
When preparing your personal directive, choose individuals you trust as your designate or agent, who will act in your best interests. They should understand your values and wishes.
If you don't have someone you trust, consider hiring someone from the Office of the Public Guardian. While they charge a fee for this service, they will ensure your personal and medical decisions are made properly and in your best interest.
RESOURCES TO ASSIST YOU To Make a Personal Directive
Organization |
Tool |
Description |
Kerby Centre in Calgary 403-705-3230 |
Help you write a personal directive or assist in finding a capacity assessor at no charge. |
For members of the Kerby Centre in Calgary |
Online resources including forms and instructions |
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The OPGT assists people with a variety of services, information and resources in the areas of: guardianship services, trusteeship services, capacity assessment information and court applications, complaints about guardians, trustees and agents, and advance planning. |
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Alberta Health Services Green Sleeve |
A blank personal directive form comes with the Green Sleeve. |
Your Green Sleeve goes with you through Alberta’s healthcare system. In an emergency, healthcare providers can look at your Green Sleeve and quickly know your healthcare wishes. |
Storing your personal directive
Did you know you can now upload your personal directive to your Alberta health Services record?
MyHealth Records is an online tool that allows Albertans 14 years of age and older to view their own health records. You may access and manage your immunization records, medication history, diagnostic reports and most lab results in one safe spot on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Your fitness and wellness devices, such as blood pressure monitors, may be used to download your health information and your medical records can be shared with people you trust.
1. Sign into MyHealth Records with your existing Alberta.ca Account username and password. If you do not have an Alberta.ca Account, create a new account to access MyHealth Records. Sign in or Create an Account
2. On the Home Page, click on the command to "edit display". Make sure the box called "Uploaded Files" is checked.
3. Click on the "Uploaded Files" box and upload a copy of your Personal Directive.
MyHealth Records is an online tool that allows Albertans 14 years of age and older to view their own health records. You may access and manage your immunization records, medication history, diagnostic reports and most lab results in one safe spot on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Your fitness and wellness devices, such as blood pressure monitors, may be used to download your health information and your medical records can be shared with people you trust.
1. Sign into MyHealth Records with your existing Alberta.ca Account username and password. If you do not have an Alberta.ca Account, create a new account to access MyHealth Records. Sign in or Create an Account
2. On the Home Page, click on the command to "edit display". Make sure the box called "Uploaded Files" is checked.
3. Click on the "Uploaded Files" box and upload a copy of your Personal Directive.
Use the green sleeve to store your personal directive
A Green Sleeve is a plastic pocket that holds your important advance care planning forms. Learn more.