Make Your Health, Care, and End-of-Life Wishes Known
An Ontario Power of Attorney for Personal Care is a vital legal document that allows you to choose who will make personal and health-related decisions for you if you become unable to speak for yourself.
This document ensures your wishes are respected, your dignity is protected, and your loved ones are not left guessing during difficult times.
At Ontario Wills Lawyer, we prepare lawyer-drafted Powers of Attorney for Personal Care that clearly reflect your values and comply fully with Ontario law.
What Is a Power of Attorney for Personal Care?
A Power of Attorney for Personal Care allows you to appoint a trusted person (your attorney) to make decisions for you if you are mentally incapable.
These decisions can include:
Medical treatment and health care decisions
Long-term care or nursing home placement
Personal hygiene, nutrition, and safety
End-of-life care decisions
Daily living arrangements
Unlike financial documents, this Power of Attorney only takes effect if you are incapable of making your own decisions.
Why a Power of Attorney for Personal Care Is More Important Than Ever
If you become ill, injured, or incapacitated and do not have a Power of Attorney for Personal Care, your family may:
Disagree about what you would want
Face delays in medical decision-making
Be forced to involve the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee
Experience unnecessary stress during an already emotional time
By planning ahead, you keep control over who speaks for you — and how.
Do I Need a Power of Attorney for Personal Care If I’m Healthy?
Yes.
Incapacity can happen suddenly — through illness, accident, or age — and often without warning.
This document is essential for:
Young adults and seniors alike
Parents
Individuals living alone
- Students
Anyone who wants their wishes clearly respected
Having a Power of Attorney in place means decisions are made by choice, not by default.
How a Power of Attorney for Personal Care Protects Your Loved Ones
Health Care Directive / Living Will (Brief Explanation)
Many people also include written health care instructions, often called a Health Care Directive or Living Will, alongside their Power of Attorney for Personal Care.
This is where you can express wishes about:
Life-support and resuscitation
Artificial nutrition or hydration
End-of-life care preferences
Your Power of Attorney for Personal Care works together with these instructions to ensure your voice is heard, even when you cannot speak for yourself.
Without clear legal authority, your loved ones may be forced to:
Make heartbreaking decisions without guidance
Argue over medical care choices
Navigate complex legal processes during emergencies
A lawyer-drafted Power of Attorney for Personal Care:
Reduces conflict
Provides clarity to doctors and caregivers
Gives your family confidence they are honouring your wishes
Power of Attorney for Personal Care vs Power of Attorney for Property
Personal Care
- Health & Medical Decisions
- Treatment Decisions
- Long-Term Care
- End of Life Wishes
Property
- Financial Decisions
- Bank Accounts
- Property & Assets
- Bills & Taxes
Why Lawyer-Drafted Personal Care Powers of Attorney Matter
Generic forms often:
Contain vague or conflicting language
Fail to reflect personal values
Create confusion for health care providers
Lead to disputes between family members
A lawyer-drafted Power of Attorney for Personal Care ensures:
Clear legal authority under Ontario law
Thoughtful, personalized instructions
Proper execution and witnessing
Peace of mind for you and your family
Book Your Power of Attorney Appointment Today
A Power of Attorney for Personal Care is not just about money —
it’s about control, dignity, and protecting the people you love.