The Yukon's Care Consent Act makes sure your health care choices are respected.
Advance care planning helps you decide and document the type of health care you want now and later. It’s for all Yukoners aged 16 and older, even if you’re healthy.
Complete your Advance Directive
Fill out an Advance Directive to name a proxy and outline your health care wishes. Choose from:
- Abbreviated Advance Directive form - Use this form to appoint someone to make health care decisions for you. If you wish, you may also add your preferences.
- Resuscitation and care form - This form tells health care providers what you want to happen in the event you can no longer make the decision for yourself. It does not name a proxy.
- Advance Directive form - This is a detailed form to give more information about your values and care wishes. It includes options that the abbreviated form does not and may need legal support. This is for people with complex needs or specific preferences.
After you fill out the form
- Keep the original in a safe place and tell someone where it is.
- Put a note on your fridge with the location of your directive.
- Give copies to your proxy, trusted family or friends, health care providers and your local health centre.
- Fill out a notification card and submit it to Insured Health Services.
- By mail:
Government of Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan (H-2)
Box 2703
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6 - In person: 4th Floor, 204 Lambert Street, Whitehorse
- By mail:
Review and update your plan if your health or life circumstances change.
Who can make health decisions for you?
You have the right to refuse care for any reason. Your consent is needed for all health care decisions except:
- emergency care unless you have a known directive form;
- a preliminary examination; or
- care already in progress.
If you’re unable make your own health care decisions (for example, if you’re unconscious), your proxy can decide for you. Choose someone you trust to follow your wishes, such as:
- a partner;
- a child or grandchild;
- a family member;
- a close friend; or
- an attorney.
If you do not name a proxy, your next of kin will be asked to decide.
What can your proxy decide?
Your proxy can make decisions about:
- medical or dental care;
- admission to a care facility like a nursing home or group home; and
- personal support services like home care or help in a care facility.
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) and advance care planning
MAiD and advance care planning are separate. You cannot include MAiD in your Advance Directive. Your proxy cannot request MAiD on your behalf.
Learn more about MAiD in the Yukon.
Who can make financial decisions for you?
Your proxy cannot make financial decisions for you. To appoint someone for financial decisions, contact a lawyer to prepare an enduring power of attorney.
Resources
Complete your Advance Directive
Make decisions for someone else
Ask for a review of a care decision
Resources for health care providers
More resources
- Tools and workbooks to help you create your plan, choose a substitute decision-maker and start conversations.
- Explore resources
- Conversation starters
- Living My Culture: Planning for your care, an advance care planning workbook
Government of Canada
- The federal Palliative care page includes advance care planning resources.
For help or to request a printed Advance Directive package, email [email protected], phone at 867-667-9380 or fax 867-667-9332 to contact the Palliative Care Resource Team.