Health Care Directives in Manitoba: Planning for Your Future Care

In Manitoba, planning for future healthcare decisions centers around creating a Health Care Directive, sometimes called a living will. This straightforward system helps ensure your healthcare wishes are known and respected if you become unable to speak for yourself.

Understanding Manitoba's Approach

Manitoba's Health Care Directives Act makes advance care planning relatively straightforward. You can create a valid directive without a lawyer, and the province provides free forms and resources to help. This accessibility ensures everyone can plan for their future care, regardless of their circumstances.

What Makes a Valid Directive

Unlike some provinces, Manitoba keeps requirements simple. To create a valid Health Care Directive, you need to:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Be mentally capable of making healthcare decisions
• Put your wishes in writing
• Sign and date the document
• Have it witnessed by one person

The witness must be someone who:

• Is at least 18 years old
• Has no stake in your healthcare decisions
• Isn't your proxy (if you name one)

Choosing Your Proxy

In Manitoba, your "proxy" is the person you choose to make healthcare decisions when you cannot. While naming a proxy is optional, it gives you someone to interpret your wishes in unexpected situations.

Think carefully about who would best serve in this role. Your proxy should:

• Understand your values and beliefs
• Stay calm under pressure
• Ask good questions of healthcare providers
• Stand firm when needed
• Live close enough to help
• Be willing to serve

You can name multiple proxies and specify whether they must agree on decisions or can act independently.

Expressing Your Wishes

Manitoba's system allows flexibility in how you express your healthcare preferences. Consider addressing:

Medical Treatments
Think about your views on:

• Life-support measures
• Pain management
• Experimental treatments
• Organ donation
• Blood transfusions

Quality of Life
Reflect on:

• What makes life meaningful to you
• How you define independence
• Your tolerance for dependence on others
• Your religious or cultural values
• Your end-of-life priorities

Making It Official

Once you've thought through your wishes and chosen any proxies, creating your directive involves:

1. Writing down your wishes clearly
2. Signing and dating the document
3. Having it witnessed
4. Making copies for key people
5. Storing the original safely

Keeping Your Directive Current

Life changes, and your healthcare wishes might too. While Manitoba doesn't require regular updates, consider reviewing your directive:

• After major health changes
• When relationships shift
• If you move within Manitoba
• When values evolve
• After significant life events

Sharing Your Wishes

A Health Care Directive only works if people know about it. Consider sharing copies with:

• Your proxy (if you name one)
• Your family doctor
• Close family members
• Your local hospital
• Your spiritual advisor

Starting Important Conversations

Perhaps the most challenging aspect is discussing your wishes with loved ones. Try opening the conversation with:

"I want to make sure you understand what matters most to me..."
"I'd like to talk about how I want to be cared for if I get seriously ill..."
"Can we talk about what you would want if you couldn't speak for yourself?"

Working with Healthcare Providers

Manitoba healthcare providers must:

• Follow your directive when it applies
• Consult your proxy if you have one
• Document your expressed wishes
• Support informed decision-making
• Respect cultural and religious beliefs

Finding Help

Manitoba offers several resources to help with advance care planning:

Government Resources:

• Manitoba Health website
• Health Care Directive forms
• Provincial healthcare facilities
• Regional health authorities

Community Support:

• Senior centers
• Community health clinics
• Legal aid offices
• Cultural organizations

Common Questions

"Do I need a lawyer?"
No, but some people find legal advice helpful, especially with complex situations.

"Can I change my mind?"
Yes, you can change or cancel your directive anytime while mentally capable.

"What if I move?"
Other provinces may honor your Manitoba directive, but consider creating new documents if you move permanently.

Creating a Health Care Directive in Manitoba is an important step in ensuring your future care aligns with your wishes. While it might seem daunting, the process is designed to be accessible and straightforward.

Remember, you don't need to figure this out alone. Manitoba provides free resources and support to help you create a directive that reflects your values while meeting legal requirements.

Need help getting started? Contact your regional health authority or speak with your healthcare provider about local resources for advance care planning.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, legal, or medical advice. Always consult with qualified professionals for guidance specific to your individual circumstances.