substitute decision-maker

A substitute decision-maker (SDM) is someone who can make personal care decisions for you when you’re not mentally capable. This includes decisions about where you live, what you eat, getting dressed, washing and having a bath, and staying safe. This might be the attorney you name in your Power of Attorney for Personal Care.

The Health Care Consent Act says who can be SDMs for health-care decisions. This includes situations where a doctor finds that you’re not capable of making your own decisions about medical treatment.