Planning ahead gives a person an opportunity to explain what matters to them and ask for advice while they can take part. A dementia diagnosis does not automatically remove a person’s ability to make every decision. Questions about capacity and legal authority require appropriate professional guidance.
Separate practical roles from legal authority
A relative who books appointments is not automatically authorised to manage money or consent to treatment. Write down who currently helps with each task, then ask a qualified professional which permissions or documents are needed. Names and rules differ between provinces and territories.
Avoid downloading a generic document and assuming it will be valid everywhere. For Québec, ask a notary or lawyer familiar with local rules about the appropriate planning documents. Elsewhere, consult a qualified local professional. This guide is an appointment-preparation aid, not legal advice.
Gather information without collecting everything in one place
Make an index of important documents and where originals are kept. Include the contact details of relevant professionals and the dates of existing documents. Do not put account passwords, identity numbers or complete financial records into a shared family worksheet.
Ask the person who should have access to the index. A secure record available to the right people is more useful than several conflicting copies circulating by email.
Questions for professional advice
- Which decisions can the person make now, and how should support be provided?
- What documents already exist, and do they still reflect the person’s wishes?
- Who has authority, for which decisions and under what circumstances?
- How can concerns about pressure, misuse or disagreement be addressed?
- Where should signed originals be kept, and who needs a copy?
Record preferences as well as paperwork
Ask about daily routines, language, cultural or spiritual preferences, relationships and the kind of help the person would welcome. These conversations do not replace formal documents, but they help others understand the person beyond administrative tasks.
Choose one manageable next step, such as booking an advice appointment or locating an existing document. If a decision is urgent, tell the professional when requesting help. Do not pressure someone to sign because a family member is worried about future difficulties.
The caregiver handover sheet is for everyday support preferences only. It is not a power of attorney, advance directive, consent form or substitute for a clinical care plan.
Sources & further reading
These references support the educational background. Worksheets, planning examples and comparison questions are our own practical suggestions.
Information checked for this edition on 12 September 2026. Service details and medical guidance can change; confirm individual decisions with the appropriate professional.
