Will your expressed care choices always be followed?

Your substitute decision-maker must follow your expressed care wishes unless it is impossible to do so. If it is impossible to follow your wishes, your substitute decision-maker must act in your best interests.

For example, you may have said that you would never want to live in a long-term care facility, yet you need more care than is available for you in the community and do not have money to pay for private care. Another example of an impossible situation would be a wish for assisted suicide or euthanasia, as this is illegal in Ontario.

In emergency situations, ambulance attendants may not be able to follow your wishes. However, health care providers have to follow your wishes, if they know what they are, in any and all emergency situations.

What happens to advance care arrangements if a person is outside of Ontario? Will other jurisdictions recognize advance care arrangements?

Different jurisdictions have different legislation regarding advance care planning.

If you spend time outside Ontario, it is a good idea to consult a lawyer about whether your wishes will be followed and your substitute decision-maker recognized in the province or country you intend to visit.