Legal Concerns

You might have questions and concerns about affairs management and personal decision-making.

Legal documents ensure a person’s wishes are known and observed

A diagnosis does not necessarily mean that a person will become unable to manage their own affairs, but if multiple symptoms of dementia are present, or a diagnosis has been confirmed, we encourage taking the appropriate steps and documenting plans for the future. This will help ensure the right decisions are being made by the right people. A lawyer can guide you in completing these documents.

Here is a video from Samantha Reay of the Alzheimer Society of Calgary discussing the importance of these documents.

What to expect

Personal Directive

• Details a person’s wishes related to house and/or medical decisions and designates the person they feel most comfortable speaking on their behalf.
• This document only becomes active if there is ever a time period when the person is unable to communicate their own wishes.
• The Government of Alberta has published a helpful guide and can be viewed here

Enduring Power of Attorney

• Outlines a person’s wishes related to financial matters and designates a person they feel most comfortable with making decisions on their behalf.
• This document only becomes active if there is ever a time period when the person is unable to communicate their own wishes.
• The Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta has published a helpful reference guide and can be seen here

Where to start

Whether you are living with dementia or caring for a loved one, you can access information and guidance about legal matters from legal counsel. We suggest placing a call to your family lawyer to begin. If you do not have a family lawyer, try reaching out to any of these resources:

• Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (OPGT), Calgary Regional Office
  • This organization deals with applications for guardianship and serves as guardian for dependent adults if no private individual is available to do so. They also assist clients with decisions to help ensure their needs are met and their rights are respected. You can contact them for general information about personal directives, too.
  • Call 1-877-427-4525 (toll-free in Alberta)
  • Visit their website
  • Suite 900 Barclay Centre, 447 - 7 Avenue SW, Calgary AB, T2P 0X8
• Law Society of Alberta (Lawyer Referral Service)
  • This referral service helps people find a lawyer who will provide the legal services they require.
  • To contact the Lawyer Referral Service directly, call (403) 228-1722 (Toll-free 1-800-661-1095)
  • To contact the Calgary office for other enquiries, call (403) 229-4700 (Toll-free 1-800-661-9003)
    • Visit the Law Referral Service page
    • Visit their website
    • 500, 919 – 11 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2R 1P3

• Calgary Legal Guidance
  • Call (403) 234-9266
  • Email: clg@clg.ab.ca
  • Visit their website
    • 100, 840 – 7 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3G2
• Legal Aid Alberta
  • Legal Aid is legal assistance for people who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer with their own resources.
  • Call (toll-free) 1-866-845-3425
  • Visit their website
    • 1100 Dominion Centre, 665 - 8 Street SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3K7
• Advanced Care Planning
  • The goal of the Advanced Care Team is to improve Alberta Health Services’ ability to deliver quality care at the end of life to patients and their families in all health care settings. This organization provides information and resources about Advanced Care Planning and Personal Directives.
• E-mail: conversationsmatter@albertahealthservices.ca
  • Visit their website
• Kerby Centre – Information and Advocacy
  • The focus of this group is on providing answers and solving problems. Information is available on topics such as pensions, legal issues, government services, grants, home help, consumer affairs, transportation and more.
  • Call (403) 705-3246
  • Email: info@kerbycentre.com
  • Visit their website