Advance Directive Vs Representation Agreement

When it comes to making decisions about your health care, it`s important to have a plan in place. Two documents that can help you do that are advance directives and representation agreements. While they both serve a similar purpose, there are important differences between the two.

Advance Directives

An advance directive is a legal document that outlines your wishes for medical treatment in the event that you become unable to make those decisions for yourself. The document typically includes instructions for how you want to be treated, including whether or not you want life-sustaining measures to be taken.

There are two main types of advance directives: a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care. A living will is a document that specifies your wishes for medical treatment in the event that you become terminally ill or permanently unconscious. A durable power of attorney for health care, on the other hand, designates someone to make health care decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so.

Representation Agreements

A representation agreement is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf in a variety of areas, including health care, legal matters, and personal care. While a representation agreement can include instructions for medical treatment, it is not specifically focused on health care decisions like an advance directive is.

There are two main types of representation agreements in Canada: a standard representation agreement and an enhanced representation agreement. A standard representation agreement allows you to appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. An enhanced representation agreement, on the other hand, allows you to give more specific instructions and grants your representative more powers.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both advance directives and representation agreements can be valuable tools for ensuring that your wishes are respected if you become unable to make your own decisions. However, which one you choose may depend on your specific needs and circumstances.

If you are primarily concerned about making decisions about medical treatment, an advance directive may be the best choice for you. If you want to appoint someone to make a broader range of decisions on your behalf, a representation agreement may be more appropriate.

It`s important to note that both advance directives and representation agreements are legal documents, and it`s important to consult with a lawyer to ensure that your wishes are properly documented and legally binding.

In conclusion, both advance directives and representation agreements can be useful tools in ensuring that your wishes are respected if you become unable to make your own decisions. While they serve a similar purpose, they have important differences that should be considered when making your decision. Consult with a lawyer to ensure that you have the right document in place for your specific needs.