What is the purpose of a Power of Attorney for Personal Care?

A Power of Attorney for Personal Care allows you to choose the person or people who will make decisions for you (this is especially important if you do not like the one provided for in the Health Care Consent Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 2, Sch. A.
- Health Care Consent Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 2, Sch. A – Hierarchy of Decision Makers – s. 20(1)
A Power of Attorney for Personal Care can be used to help give your loved ones direction as to how you would like to be cared for and what decisions you would like made if you are incapable of making decisions for yourself
Health Care Consent Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 2, Sch. A gives protection to these wishes by providing that prior competent wishes are to be respected.
- Health Care Consent Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 2, Sch. A – Prior Competent Wishes – Best Interests and 21(1) requirement to give or refuse treatment according to a known wish
A Power of Attorney for Personal Care might include direction as to whether you might want to be resuscitated; whether you might want to be cared for at home or in some other type of facility; whether you would want to be kept on life support or have life support disconnected and under what circumstances.
A Power of Attorney for Personal Care can also deal with Organ Donation and whether you want to have your organs donated or not.