A diagnosis of dementia can feel overwhelming. Along with processing emotions, families are suddenly faced with practical questions about health care, finances, housing, and future decision-making. Because dementia is a progressive condition, planning early is one of the most important steps a person and their loved ones can take.
Planning ahead allows the person diagnosed to remain at the centre of decisions about their life while they still have the ability to clearly communicate their wishes. It also reduces confusion, conflict, and stress for family members later on.
Once a diagnosis is received, there are three key actions that should happen as soon as possible:
Think about what matters most:
These conversations may feel difficult, but they are incredibly meaningful.
Share your wishes clearly. Written documents are important, but open conversations are equally valuable. Families who have discussed preferences in advance often experience less guilt and uncertainty when making difficult decisions later.
Legal planning ensures your chosen decision-makers have the authority they need when the time comes. Waiting too long may mean the person diagnosed no longer has the legal capacity required to complete certain documents.
Having clearly written instructions is a gift to your loved ones. It gives them confidence that they are carrying out your direct wishes.
It is important to understand the difference:
Both are important, but they serve different purposes.
These documents must be created while the person diagnosed still understands the nature and consequences of their decisions.
An Enduring Power of Attorney must be prepared by a lawyer or notary public in British Columbia.
This document allows the person diagnosed to appoint someone they trust (called an attorney) to manage:
The “enduring” aspect means it remains valid even after the person becomes mentally incapable.
In British Columbia, jointly owned assets (such as a home or vehicle) normally require signatures from both parties. If one person loses legal capacity and no EPA is in place, major financial decisions can become complicated or impossible without court involvement.
An EPA allows the appointed person to:
Without an EPA, families may need to apply for committeeship through the courts, which is more costly, stressful, and time-consuming.
A lawyer or notary public will also assess whether the person has the legal competency required to create the document.
A Representation Agreement Section 9 (RA9) allows a person to appoint a trusted representative to make:
Although a lawyer or notary is not legally required in BC, professional guidance is strongly recommended to ensure the document is properly completed.
The RA9 can include decisions about:
The person signing must understand the nature and consequences of granting this authority.
This document gives families clarity and ensures health care providers know exactly who has legal authority to speak on the person’s behalf.
As dementia progresses, legal capacity may become diminished. At this stage, other planning tools may apply.
A Representation Agreement Section 7 (RA7) is designed for individuals whose mental capacity may already be in question.
While a lawyer is not required, it is still recommended to ensure accuracy.
The RA7 allows a trusted representative to act in four specific areas:
The representative may:
However, unlike an RA9, they cannot make major financial decisions such as selling a home.
This includes:
The representative cannot:
The RA7 helps families manage daily matters while protecting the individual from significant financial changes without stronger legal authority.
If no legal documents are in place, families may face more complex legal processes.
Committeeship is a court order granted by a judge when a person has lost full capacity to manage personal and financial affairs.
This process:
This is why early planning is strongly encouraged.
If a person is incapable of consenting to medical treatment and has no RA9 or other appointed decision-maker, a health care provider may appoint a Temporary Substitute Decision Maker (TSDM).
If no suitable person is available, the Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) may be appointed.
A TSDM:
They must consult the person diagnosed as much as possible and base decisions on previously expressed wishes.
Personal planning is not just legal, it is emotional.
Families often struggle with:
Early planning:
When wishes are written down, families are guided by the voice of their loved one, not by uncertainty.
Dementia affects memory, reasoning, and judgment over time. Waiting too long can mean:
Planning early ensures the person diagnosed remains empowered for as long as possible.
For detailed guidance, free Representation Agreement forms, and estate planning resources, visit:
Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre & Registry
Website: www.nidus.ca
Nidus provides education, forms, and tools specifically designed for personal planning in British Columbia.
Although these conversations can feel uncomfortable, personal planning is one of the most compassionate and practical steps families can take after a dementia diagnosis.
It preserves dignity.
It reduces crisis decisions.
It protects finances.
It ensures wishes are honoured.
Most importantly, it keeps the person living with dementia at the heart of every decision, while they can still guide the path forward.
For more information, please refer to the blogs: “Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia” or “What is Dementia: The 6 Types, Causes, and Symptoms”.
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