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There were a lot of articles in the media, initially in 1992 and again in 1995, when te above A,” was introduced, which mav have left a lot of readers confused. People were led to be]??? that 'dr, government could seize their tstutdifthey dill not have a Power ofArtorney. Now t.ha.t Iris enm If, _', it may be (relpfitl to discuss what Powers of Attorney are, their purpose and how this legislation tlh chan ed thin' s. In this article, I will discuss naming someone to make medical decisions on , our tcj'e',1'l('/: callefPower ofAttorneyfor Personal Cure. In a corlnlpanion piece of legislation, the ealth Care Consent Act, 1996, even if a patient does not have a P.A.P.C., the following persons can give consent in the ranking indicated: 1. A person appointed by a P.A.P.C. 2. A person's spouse or partner 3. A child or parent of the incapable person 4. A brother or sister of the incapable person 5. Any other relative of the incapable person The new legislation was developed largely because of the ul?licity arising out of the Karen guinn case in the U.S.A. Karen was a young woman being kept alive by a life support system but was brain dead as ar as her doctors could determine. Her family was put through the expense and anguish of countless Court hearings before a Court ruled that she be taken off her life su ort systems. The legal issue was: who had the authority to make that decision? Another reason for the new legislation was to provide a legally recognized document to incorporate _Li,r,igi, Wills directions, such as for me ical staff not to make heroic efforts to save a patiept's life if the patient is terminally ill with no reasonable prospect of surviving. Edition 98 Volume 4 POWERS OF ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL CARE (P.A.P.O.) In the Spring issue, I discussed the new Powers of Attorney Act, proclaimed in 1995 and focused on owers of Attorney for Property. In this article, I focus on Powers of Attorne for Personal Care (P.A.P.al.) which is an entirely new legal document not previously available or authorized by legislation. Weston Little Theatre WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE Auditions - A Murder/Mystery Farce Mon. Nov. 30 & Wed. Dec. 2 '98 - 7:30 pm F or further' information, call 416- 703-8133 "If you dd not have a Power of Attorney and a Will in place you should make arrangements to do so as soon as possible. " Director - Vince Salmonds for 6 Male Roles - ages 20 to 50 9 Female Roles - ages 20 to 50 Callbacks: Mon. Dec. 7 '98 - 7:30 pm by JACK SHARKEY C.R. Marchant Middle School 1 Ralph Street Weston It is also important to stress that if a patient is capable, then medical care can only be administered with his or her informed consent. The only exception is an emergency medical situation. Powers of Attorney for Personal Care are only operative if a patient is incapable of making an informed decision on their own. No form is required for a PA.P.C. but a legal Power of Attorney form is recommended. The same legal requirements as a Power of Attorney for Property apply - that is, two witnesses both present at the same time when the donor signs, who are not family members or part of the donor's health care team. The result is that single persons with no family in the immediate area, or widows or widowers in similar situations should definitely take steps to get a P.A.P.C. in force. Also, in situations where only one or two children are available in a family of three or more children, a P.A.P.C. should be made. Finally, even in situations where there is a spouse and one or two children competent to step in, one may still want to have a P.A.P.C. in order to give written guidance about a donor's health care if, for example, the donor is terminally ill. In summary, one can appoint a person to make medical ecisions on one's behalf through a P.A.P.C. However, even if you do not, the above ersons, in the ranking indicateci), can still make decisions on your behalf. - by Michael McDonald WESTON NEWS & VIEWS 'Trademark of CIBC We're investing in your community. May fat,_,t,_',_,__vi'_"_,_-'i's'h/ 'iiii_ir_,i,r-_i,,::i friends share the wigs of tilts wonderous H di' iad‘uffiuson Michael J. McDonald CIBC at 1940 Weston Road near Lawrence Avenue Suite 203, 1941 Weston Road (at Lawrence Ave W j to our brand new CIBC Banking Centre at For your convenience, CIBC Weston Rd. dt Lawrence Ave. will remain open until October 3fst, 1998 2625 Weston Road at Hwy. 401, . accesible by TTC (Weston Rd. bus) (416) 247-5527 SEEING BEYONDTM , juli/ti bf tl/tii-rs H o"_li':"i) W _ Seas . Drive-thru bank machine F. k ' ((gwttt Barrister & Solicitor Crfi't' 0 3 bank machines GENERAL PRACTICE: has relocated Featuring: 0 Real Estate and Mortgages . parking if??? Business Transactions Incorporation' Wills and Estates Page 3