Advance Care Planning in Alberta: how a personal directive protects your wishes
A step-by-step guide to creating a comprehensive personal directive, and an Advance Care Plan that goes beyond the standard template — so your loved ones know exactly what you want.
Advocating for your future care ensures the people closest to you can support your needs every step of the way.
What is a personal directive in Alberta?
Creating a personal directive is a critical step for every adult in the Edmonton area, and across Alberta. A personal directive is the legal document that names who will speak for you if serious injury, illness, or cognitive decline leaves you unable to speak for yourself. Every Albertan aged 18 or older should have one. The person you choose — your agent — only steps in when a capacity assessment confirms you can no longer make your own decisions.
Without a personal directive, you don't get to choose who makes decisions for you. A healthcare provider may select your nearest relative, or a family member may need to go to court to become your guardian — a process that takes time, money, and emotional energy that your family shouldn't have to spend during a crisis.
Why most personal directives fall short
Many personal directives drafted in a lawyer's office or downloaded from the Alberta government website share the same limitation: they're vague and open to interpretation.
A standard form typically covers two things — who will speak for you, and whether you decline "heroics" in the event of "intolerable suffering." But those terms mean different things to different people.
What "declining heroics" can actually include:
The word "heroics" is far broader than most people realize. Many Albertans think it simply means declining CPR. In reality, it can encompass intubation and the use of a ventilator to breathe for you, a mask to provide supplemental oxygen, spoon feeding or tube feeding, intravenous nutrition to prevent starvation, and antibiotics to prevent the spread of infection.
And "intolerable suffering"? That definition is deeply personal. What feels intolerable to one person may be manageable for another. A generic directive leaves those decisions open to the interpretation of whoever reads it — which may not align with what you actually want.
"Heroics" is a broad term that most people think only means declining CPR — but it also covers intubation, ventilator use, supplemental oxygen, tube feeding, intravenous nutrition, and antibiotics.
What makes a PatientAdvocates.ca Advance Care Plan different
Corinne Hewko, founder of PatientAdvocates.ca, in partnership with Connie Jorsvik of PatientPathways.ca in BC, has developed proprietary templates and a guided process that creates a personal directive that is both legally binding and comprehensively detailed.
Rather than stopping at who speaks for you, our Advance Care Plan documents your values, beliefs, and fears — and specifies the exact medical interventions you would or would not want in the event that you are left unable to speak for yourself.
Whether the scenario is acute illness, a severe injury, or advanced dementia, your plan ensures that the people around you truly understand your wishes — not their best guess.
What you'll work through
Our Advance Care Plan development process walks you through each of the considerations that matter most.
Choosing the right agent.
Selecting the person who will speak for you is one of the most important decisions in this process — and the right choice may surprise you. We guide you through what to look for and how to have that conversation.
In Alberta, the person you name in your personal directive is called your 'Agent,' though they are often referred to as a Substitute Decision Maker.
Understanding resuscitation terms.
Goals of care designations in Alberta include three broad categories: resuscitative care (focused on prolonging life, including CPR and intensive care), medical care (focused on curing or managing illness without life support), and comfort care (focused on comfort when medical treatment is no longer an option). We explain what each designation means in plain language so you can make an informed choice.
Organ and body donation.
If you want to be a donor, your loved ones and healthcare providers need to know. We walk through the process and help you include your decision in your personal directive.
Storing your completed directive.
A personal directive only works if it can be found. In Alberta, healthcare providers are trained to look for a Green Sleeve — a green plastic folder — on or near your refrigerator during an emergency. We ensure your documents are stored correctly, and you can also register your directive for free with the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee.
If registering, it’s important to understand that registration only records your named Agent and their contact information — it does not hold the complete directive and all of its instructions. This is why a signed copy should also be provided directly to your Agent before a crisis arises. This step alone often leads to amazing conversations — the kind that bring clarity and peace of mind to everyone involved.
An act of love for those you leave behind
Advance care planning is more than a legal exercise. It is an act of love for the people who will be at your side during the most difficult moments.
When your wishes are clearly documented, you reduce ambiguity and potential conflict among family members. The courageous conversations that happen during this process give your loved ones the confidence to act on your behalf — not from uncertainty, but from a place of genuine understanding.
They can focus on being present with you, rather than agonizing over what you might have wanted.
Frequently asked questions
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A personal directive is a legal document that names someone to make personal and healthcare decisions for you if you become unable to make them yourself. It only comes into effect when a capacity assessment confirms you cannot make your own decisions.
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A personal directive names who will speak for you when you are struggling to speak for yourself. It typically includes brief, general instructions, ex. no heroics, do not extend end of life, etc. A lawyer's version serves an important legal purpose, but it rarely dives into the detail your agent needs to confidently navigate difficult, unexpected situations.
An Advance Care Plan goes deeper, with ours exploring your values, beliefs, fears, and specific wishes across a range of scenarios — giving your healthcare team real guidance when it matters most.
Some people tell us, "My lawyer already covered that," and that's a fair response. Acknowledging this, we simply invite clients to walk through the details of their wishes together with us. Once they see the deeper questions an Advance Care Plan addresses, the difference often speaks for itself.
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In a Green Sleeve kept on or near your refrigerator, which is where Alberta healthcare providers are trained to look in an emergency. You can also register it with the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee at no cost.
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It can include much more than declining CPR. Heroics may also encompass intubation, ventilator use, supplemental oxygen, spoon feeding, tube feeding, intravenous nutrition, and antibiotics. A comprehensive advance care plan clarifies exactly which interventions you want — and which you don't.
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No. A personal directive is valid without a lawyer, though legal advice may be helpful depending on your situation. Our guided process ensures your directive is both legally sound and detailed enough to truly reflect your wishes.
Ready to plan ahead?
Book a free, no-obligation call with Corinne to start your Advance Care Plan. https://patientadvocates.ca/contact
Serving St. Albert and Edmonton in person, and all of Alberta virtually.
For support in British Columbia, contact PatientPathways.ca.
Related resources for Albertans
What is a Patient Advocate, Actually?: Unsure who should speak for you? Learn how a professional advocate can support you and your family when navigating the Alberta health system.
Empowering Independence Through Home Organization: A personal directive is only useful if it can be found. Read our tips on organizing medical records and ensuring your Green Sleeve is accessible in an emergency.
How to Make a Medical Complaint in Alberta: If your wishes (or those of a loved one) aren't being followed, our step-by-step guide explains how to effectively advocate for better care.
Meet Corinne: My Story: Learn more about why I am so passionate about palliative care and helping families avoid the "heroics" that can lead to unnecessary suffering.
Learn more about how Corinne Hewko at PatientAdvocates.ca can help you or a loved one navigate the complexities of healthcare, organize living spaces, and maintain independence at home. Request a free, no-obligation chat here to explore our comprehensive patient advocacy and home organization services.
This guide is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical or legal advice. For personalized assistance, contact a qualified patient advocate.
