How do I make health-care decisions for someone?
When someone is not of making decisions about their health care, another person must make those decisions for them. This person is called a (SDM) for health-care decisions.
Who can be an SDM
The law lists who can be an SDM. This is the order:
- a
- an attorney for personal care
- someone appointed by the Consent and Capacity Board
- a spouse or partner
- a child or parent
- a parent with but who does not have
- siblings
- any other relative
- the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (OPGT)
The SDM will be the person closest to the top of the list who:
- the can contact within a short amount of time,
- can make the decision,
- is willing to do it,
- is 16 years of age or older, and
- is not banned from making decisions for the person because of a court order or separation agreement
More than one SDM
There can be more than one SDM if people:
- are on the same place on the list, and
- the description above applies to them.
For example, this could be children or siblings.
Role of the OPGT
The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee acts as the SDM if:
- no one on the list above can do it, or
- the people who are at the same level on the list do not agree.
How you make decisions
If you're an SDM and must decide about a medical treatment, you need to think about the person's:
- wishes and values
- best interests
When you make a health-care decision as an SDM, you need to give . This means that before you decide, you learn about the treatment and what could happen if the person does or does not get it.
What to find out
You should ask the doctor or health-care provider:
- what the treatment is and why the person needs it
- who will give them the treatment
- when and where they'll be treated
- the possible side effects
- the risks if they have or do not have the treatment
You should also find out if there are other treatments that might be easier on the person and work just as well.
