Any person who is at least 18 years of age and understands the nature and effect of a personal directive may make a personal directive. In addition, you must be:

• mentally competent
• informed of your treatment options for all possible medical outcomes
• free of undue influence by anyone else during your decision making process

- In Alberta you do not have to name a decision maker. However, if possible you should name someone to ensure your wishes are followed.
- It's also important you discuss your wishes with the person you name so they are prepared for the responsibility. In particular, you should discuss anything you haven't addressed in this Personal Directive.

Personal decisions typically include all decisions relating to health care, accommodation, participation in social activities, the people with whom you may live and associate, where you may work, educational activities, and authority over legal matters.

A decision maker is also called an Agent in Alberta.

- If you name more than one person as your decision maker, select people who can cooperate and be decisive.
- If the people you're thinking of choosing have a history of conflict, it may be better to only name one person.

An agent must be 18 years of age or older and have the capacity to make personal decisions on behalf of the Maker.

Yes, it can. In the next step, you will choose if your Agents make decisions jointly or successively. If you choose successively, the first person you name will be your decision maker. The second person will only have authority if your first decision maker is unable or unwilling to act.

Jointly means the decision makers will work together and make decisions through unanimous or majority agreement.
Successively means the first named decision maker will have authority to make decisions. If that decision maker is unable or unwilling to act, authority will pass to the next decision maker you named.

Your decision maker will have authority to make personal decisions on your behalf. Personal decisions typically include all decisions relating to healthcare, accommodation, participation in social activities, the people you live and associate with, where you work, educational activities, and authority over legal matters.

Life support means any medical procedure, treatment, or intervention, which sustains, restores, or replaces a spontaneous vital function.

Tube feeding means the provision of nutrients or fluids by a tube inserted in vein, under the skin in the subcutaneous tissues, or in the stomach.

CPR — cardiopulmonary resuscitation — is the restoration of heartbeat and breathing following cardiac arrest, using artificial respiration and external cardiac massage.

An intervening illness is a separate illness (e.g. pneumonia) that may be life threatening.

- A terminal condition is one that will result in death, but you are aware of your surroundings.
- Persistent unconsciousness means you are not aware of your surroundings.

Life support means any medical procedure, treatment, or intervention, which sustains, restores, or replaces a spontaneous vital function.

Tube feeding means the provision of nutrients or fluids by a tube inserted in vein, under the skin in the subcutaneous tissues, or in the stomach.

CPR — cardiopulmonary resuscitation — is the restoration of heartbeat and breathing following cardiac arrest, using artificial respiration and external cardiac massage.

An intervening illness is a separate illness (e.g. pneumonia) that may be life threatening.

Severe and permanent mental impairment means a permanent and irreversible condition in which there is:

• 1. The absence of voluntary action or cognitive behavior of any kind.
• 2. An inability to communicate or interact purposefully with the environment.

If you were suffering from severe and permanent mental impairment you would not be aware of what was happening to you or around you.

Life support means any medical procedure, treatment, or intervention, which sustains, restores, or replaces a spontaneous vital function.

Tube feeding means the provision of nutrients or fluids by a tube inserted in vein, under the skin in the subcutaneous tissues, or in the stomach.

CPR — cardiopulmonary resuscitation — is the restoration of heartbeat and breathing following cardiac arrest, using artificial respiration and external cardiac massage.

An Intervening Illness is a separate illness (e.g. pneumonia) that may be life threatening.

Remember:

• You cannot refuse drugs intended for pain relief.
• You cannot refuse nourishment by mouth.
• Finally, you cannot request treatment that your medical team thinks is inappropriate.

Defibrillation is heart stimulation with electric current

The insertion of a tube to aid in breathing.

This wording is in relation to terminal conditions, persistent unconsciousness, or severe and permanent mental impairment.

Most provinces require registration with the provincial donor registry. It's still a good idea to record your preferences in your Living Will. It's also extremely important to discuss your decision with your family to ensure your wishes are fulfilled.

While this statement is not binding on medical professionals, it could provide them with the kind of information they need to make decisions for you when you are no longer able to do so for yourself. This feature is optional.

Remember:

• You cannot refuse drugs intended for pain relief.
• You cannot refuse nourishment by mouth.
• Finally, you cannot request treatment that your medical team thinks is inappropriate.

A person making a determination of incapacity does not have to be a physician. However the person or persons you select must consult with a physician or psychologist, and provide a written declaration that the Maker lacks capacity.

- You should revoke your previous directive if the authority you granted in it overlaps with the authority you are granting in this directive. If you do not revoke the previous directive, it may not be clear what the duties of each decision maker are.
- If you want a previous directive to continue it should deal with different matters than this directive.

When it is determined you are no longer capable of making your own decisions, a written copy of the declaration will be sent to you and to your decision maker. If there are other individuals you want to be notified, include them here.

You may want to provide instructions about other issues that concern you. Some examples are:

• Who you want to be with you during your final moments.,
• Who you would prefer not to be present during your illness.
• Who will care for your pets during your illness.

Remember:

• You cannot refuse drugs intended for pain relief.
• You cannot refuse nourishment by mouth.
• Finally, you cannot request treatment that your medical team thinks is inappropriate.

In Alberta it is not required that your Agent sign your Personal Directive. Your Agent's signature does not create a binding obligation and your Agent could never be forced to make a decision concerning your personal care that they are not comfortable with. However it is important that your Agent know that you have designated them as Agent and that your Agent be familiar with the contents of your Personal Directive as well as their obligations under the Alberta Personal Directives Act.

A witness to a Personal Directive cannot be a person designated in the directive as an agent, the spouse or adult interdependent partner of an agent, the spouse or adult interdependent partner of the Maker, a person who signs the directive on behalf of the Maker, or the spouse or adult interdependent partner of someone who signs the directive on behalf of the Maker.

A person who signs on behalf of the Maker cannot be a person designated in the directive as an agent or the spouse or adult interdependent partner of a person of an agent.