Consent To Health Care

CONSENT TO HEALTH CARE

Every day in British Columbia clinics. ambulances and hospitals families and health care professionals face issues of consent to health care on behalf of persons temporarily or chronically incapable of giving informed consent.

This issue is not confined to patients who are seniors, but it is increasingly likely the longer one lives that brain injuries, strokes or dementia will occur. Some advance planning and documentation while one is still fully competent can make a big difference for all concerned.

In BC, a person has the right to appoint others to assist them with certain decisions or make them for them in the case of incapacity.
  • Power of Attorney is for financial and legal matters
  • Representation Agreement is for bodily care and medical care
  • Advance Directive allows an adult to say what treatment would be acceptable or unacceptable and in what circumstances (i.e. your own voice)
Everyone - especially seniors - would be well advised to have one or more of these documents in place and accessible to those who may need them in order to best assist you.

For more details, here is a helpful link to the SeniorsFirstBC website,   http://seniorsfirstbc.ca/for-professionals/adult-guardianship/health-care-consent/

If you want to discuss more about this in your own situation, you may contact Lorne or Ann Welwood, Certified Professional Consultants on Aging at agecoach.ca@gmail.com to arrange consultation.




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