Who needs an Enduring Guardian? Everyone over the age of 18 should appoint an enduring guardian. You should particularly appoint an enduring guardian if: You are in a relationship – if you have a serious accident and are unable to provide doctors with the necessary authority, they may not be able to operate on you, provide you with medical or dental treatment or make decisions around life support. An Enduring Guardian is able to give that approval to the doctors on your behalf. You are an older person who may need assistance now or are planning ahead to ensure that trusted family or friends are able to make decisions if the time comes, about where you should live or what personal services you might need to receive such as home care or meals on wheels.

What is an Enduring Guardianship?

An Enduring Guardianship is a very important document. It provides authority for a person that you choose (who is called your Guardian) make decisions for you in relation to your physical needs and where you will live in the event that you are unable to make those decisions.

What can my Guardian do?

Your Guardian can give approval to a doctor to operate on you if you are not able to give the authority yourself. This is vital for every one no matter how old you are. Your Guardian can make decisions about what medical treatment you receive, where you live, what personal services you may receive such as meals on wheels and other services that help you stay in your own home.

When can I appoint an Enduring Guardian?

You can appoint an Enduring Guardian at any time, but you must be mentally able to make do so and must understand the impact and seriousness of the power that you are giving. If you do not have the mental capacity you are unable to appoint an Enduring Guardian.

When does my Enduring Guardian get this power?

The Enduring Guardian document will specify when your guardian gets the power. The power will be given to your guardian when you are unable to make the decisions on your own due to a mental or physical condition.

How long does my Enduring Guardian have the power to act for me?

The power will last as long as it is required. You can only remove the power from your Guardian while you are mentally able to do so.