CONSULTATION QUESTIONNAIRE FOR INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING ASSISTANCE WITH DECISIONS
About This Questionnaire
The Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) is an independent organization that studies laws and makes recommendations to the government about how to make laws fairer, easier to use, and more effective. You can find more information about us on our website, here: www.lco-cdo.org.
We are studying the laws about what happens when people need assistance in making important decisions. This includes laws about, for example, powers of attorney and guardians. We are looking at how people who need it get assistance with decision-making, what kind of help they can get, and what happens when things go wrong. We want to know how well the law is working for people now, if changes are needed, and if so, what kinds of changes would be helpful. We would like to hear from you about your experiences as someone who receives help with decision-making.
We will use your answers to our questions to help us understand how the law is working, and to make recommendations for change. We will not use your answers for any other purpose. No one except the people at the LCO will be allowed to see the answers to your questions. We will never give out your name or personal information. If we write about your experiences in our reports, we will do it in a way that others cannot identify you.
Completing This Questionnaire
You can answer our questions in the way that is easiest for you. You can
· write the answers to our questions on this form and mail it back to us at the address below.
· fill out this form on your computer, and email it back to us as an attachment.
· fill out the answers on our website, here: http://www.lco-cdo.org/en/capacity-guardianship-consultation-questionnaire-individuals [Questionnaire no longer available].
· call us using our local or toll-free telephone numbers, and we will write the answers down for you.
You do not need to answer all of the questions. You can answer only the ones that are important to you.
To contact us
Law Commission of Ontario
2032 Ignat Kaneff Building, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3
Fax: (416) 650-8418
E-mail: LawCommission@lco-cdo.org
Toronto : (416) 650-8406
Toll-free : 1 (866) 950-8406
TTY : (416) 650-8082
Background Information
1. Is there a person (or more than one person) who helps you to make important decisions, for example by helping you to understand information or speaking on your behalf to others?
Yes
No
If yes, how does this person(s) provide assistance?
As a family member or friend
On the basis of a legal document
If the person(s) has a legal document, what is it called?
Power of attorney for property
Power of attorney for personal care
Statutory guardianship
Court appointed guardian of property
Court appointed guardian of the person
Appointment by the Consent and Capacity Board
Other (please tell us what it is)
Don’t know
2. The person (or persons) who help me is my: (check all that apply)
Spouse (e.g., husband, wife, common-law partner)
Parent (e.g., mother, father, stepfather, stepmother, foster parent)
Adult child (including a step or foster child)
Brother or sister (including step or foster brothers or sisters)
Other relative (such as an aunt or uncle, cousin, niece or nephew)
Friend
Other (please tell us who)
This person or persons helps me with: (check all that apply)
Decisions about my health (such as medical treatments, dental care, physiotherapy and similar decisions)
Decisions about my money or property (such as banking, investments or daily spending)
Decisions about where to live (such as whether to move to long-term care or to stay in the community)
Personal decisions about issues such as education, employment, support services or daily activities)
3. Have you ever had your ability to make decisions assessed by a professional, such as a doctor or a “capacity assessor”?
Yes
No
How did this come about? What happened?
Your Experiences With Decision-making
4. If someone is helping with your decision-making, do you agree that you need that help?
Yes
No
5. Have you ever tried to challenge a decision that you needed help with decision-making?
Yes
No
If yes, how did you do that? What happened?
6. When someone started helping me with decision-making, I received an explanation of my rights under the law.
Yes
No
If yes, I received information from (check all that apply):
A lawyer
A community agency
A health professional, such as a doctor, nurse, occupational therapist or other professional
The person helping me with decisions
A family member or friend
A government official
Written materials or the internet
Other (please tell us who):
If you received information, was it helpful?
For the following statements, please tell us whether you agree or disagree that this is true for you.
7. I have a good understanding of my legal rights when someone is helping me with decision-making.
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
If you disagree, what do you need to help you un