The Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act replaced the Dependent Adults Act, effective October 30, 2009. It offers new options for adult Albertans who need help in making personal and/or financial decisions and more safeguards to protect vulnerable adults who can no longer make their own decisions.
Please click on the headings below to find out how this new Act may meet your needs or those of a loved one.
Frequently Asked Questions
This website explains the changes between the old Dependent Adults Act and the new Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act (AGTA), and answers common questions that you may have.Decision-Making Options Under the AGTA
The AGTA offers more options for decision-makers than the old Dependent Adults Act. The AGTA recognizes that there is a range between capacity and incapacity and allows adults to make decisions or be involved in making decisions as much as they are able to. This website gives an overview of the different kinds of decision-making options that are available to adults under the AGTA.
For specific information about these different decision-making options, please click on the headings below:
1) Supported Decision-Making
This option is for capable adults who would like to have someone they trust help them in the decision-making process.
2) Co-Decision-Making
This option is for adults with significant impairments but who could still make decisions with the guidance and support of a trusted person.
3) Guardianship
This option is for adults who lack the capacity to make decisions and need someone appointed to make decisions for them.
Assistance in Making Applications for Co-Decision-Making Guardianship and Trusteeship Orders
There is help available to you regarding how to make an application under the new Act. The following websites contain self-help kits and people to contact for help in completing the relevant forms.
Information for Health Care Providers and Supporting Service Providers
This website includes quick facts for health care providers and new forms for capacity assessments and declarations of decision-makers required under the Act. It also gives guidance on how to modify existing Alberta Health Services consent forms.
The Office of the Public Guardian has also made available a special login service to provide health care providers with targeted resources and information; to visit this site, please click here.
Information for Private Guardians
If you are already a Guardian and want to find out more about how the new Act affects you and your role as Guardian, please see the resources listed in this website.
Information for the Public
Public information sessions are being offered throughout Alberta to help teach the public about the new Act. This website lists sessions that are taking place in your area.
For More Information:
Alberta Health Services
Email: clinicalpolicy@albertahealthservices.ca
The Office of the Public Guardian
For the regional office near you, please visit the website below.
Toll-free Help Line: 1-877-427-4525
After Hours Crisis Line: 1-866-262-9731
Toll-free: 310-0000
http://www.seniors.gov.ab.ca/contact_us/opg/
The Office of the Public Trustee
Edmonton: 780-427-2744
Calgary: 403-297-6541
Toll-free: 310-0000
http://www.justice.gov.ab.ca/public_trustee/contact.aspx