Office Operation Updates

Who can be a witness in the self-help approach?If you use a self-help approach, the Nidus Representation Agreement forms include detailed instructions for signing and witnessing—two witnesses are required. They must be present to watch the adult sign the Agreement and they must watch each other sign. Many people use friends, neighbours or extended family members as witnesses. The two witnesse…

Written by Joanne on March 24, 2015The Representation Agreement Act outlines the requirements for witnessing a Representation Agreement. The following information applies to a Representation Agreement made under Section 9 (RA9) and under Section 7 (RA7).Whose signature needs witnessing?The first thing to know is that only the adult’s signature has to be witnessed for a Representation Agre…

Written by Joanne on April 1, 2015 No. The Ministry of Health and Doctors of BC (formerly BCMA) publish a no-Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation form that family physicians can use to record their conversation with a patient. It is not a legal document and is not a consent. It is referred to as a physician’s order and is based on an old approach used before the health care consent legislation came in…

Written by Joanne on April 9, 2015We did our Wills in 1998 and they were filed/registered with BC. We assumed that meant our actual wills were filed. Were they?Do you recommend lawyers who do Wills?The Wills Registry allows you to file a ‘notice’ that contains information such as the date of the Will and where you are keeping the original. When you die, if probate is required, your execu…

MYTH #4 All I have to do is discuss or write down my wishes about care I do and do not want. It is great to have conversations about your wishes but only by making a Representation Agreement in BC can you have certainty. A Representation Agreement is about giving the person or people of your choosing the necessary legal authority to carry out your wishes, if you cannot speak for yourself.You …

Written by Joanne on April 16, 2015 Are you prepared for end-of-life, incapacity and your future? Read some common myths and make sure you are on the right track with your plans. MYTH #1 I have a Will and everything in joint names—I’m covered. A Will only has effect after your death—it cannot authorize someone to act on your behalf for health care or financial affairs while you are alive. There…

Do people with Parkinson get dementia? As Parkinson’s progresses, it will cause dementia in approximately 50-80% of sufferers.  The dementia experienced by people with PD is associated with abnormalities that start in the mid-brain. These include difficulties with attention, organizing, multi-tasking, shifting attention, task completion, decision-making, problem solving, memory retrieval and wo…

Written by admin on May 18, 2015 Personal planning is important for people with Parkinson and Nidus will be presenting at the Parkinson Society of BC regional conferences in Kelowna on May 23, 2015 and in Vancouver on June 11, 2015.The following information is provided by the Parkinson Society of BC. What is Parkinson’s? Parkinson’s disease (PD), a chronic, progressive neurological disorder t…

Caregivers/representatives are already stretched to the limit trying to carry out the wishes of a spouse, family or friend. Why are banks and credit unions refusing to honour Representation Agreements for financial and legal affairs?Why are health authorities and the Ministry of Health (Health Link) promoting the Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (M.O.S.T.) form instead of Representation …