Whom Should I Appoint

You should appoint someone you trust. Many people choose their spouse or an adult child, but you may prefer to appoint another family member or friend with expertise in the area, or the Adult Guardian for personal / health matters, or the Public Trustee or a trustee company for all matters. (The Adult Guardian is appointed by statute to look after the rights and interests of people with disabilities and, in certain situations, to give health care consent.)

Your attorney must be over eighteen years of age, must not be your current paid carer or health-care provider (such as your nurse or your doctor) and (for financial matters) must not be bankrupt or insolvent.

"Paid Carer" does not mean someone receiving a carer's pension or similar benefit, so you are free to choose someone who is receiving such a benefit for looking after you.

Health-care principles are:

Any health care decision you make for MEET THE TEAM must:

• Promote and maintain your health and well-being;
• Be made in the way that is least restrictive of your rights;
• Where possible, take account of your views and wishes, along with information given by your health-care provider.