An advance health care directive is a legal document that states the express wishes of an adult regarding the type of medical care they want to receive in case of a crisis.
While this document can be completed at any time, individuals entering a residential care facility will need to complete an advance directive prior to admission. If this is not possible, then it will need to be completed as soon as possible after the person is settled in.
There are a variety of terms used throughout the country:
- Personal Directive (Alberta and NWT)
- Advance Health Care Directive (Newfoundland, Labrador and Prince Edward Island)
- Health Care Directive (Manitoba and Saskatchewan)
- Authorization (Nova Scotia)
- Representative Agreement (British Columbia)
- Advance Directive (Yukon)
- Power of Attorney for Personal Care (New Brunswick and Ontario)
- Mandate (Quebec)
Adapted from: Family Caregivers' Network Society, Resource Guide for Family Caregivers, 2006.