The Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act (AGTA) came into force on October 30, 2009, replacing the 30 year-old Dependent Adults Act (DAA). AGTA is for adults over the age of 18 years who are unable to make personal or financial decisions for themselves.This legislation addresses the current needs of Albertans by providing options and safeguards to protect vulnerable adults who may want assistance or are no longer able to make all of their own decisions. It provides a range of decision-making options from less intrusive options, such as supported decision-making or co-decision-making, to full guardianship and trusteeship.The AGTA applies to adults who are no longer able to make personal or financial decisions.The AGTA is built on four principles:
1. Capacity is presumed until it is determined to the contrary;
2. The method of communication is irrelevant to determination of capacity;
3. Autonomy is to be maintained through least intrusive and least restrictive measures; and
4. Decisions are to be based on best interests and how the adult would have made the decision if capable. http://www.seniors.gov.ab.ca/opg/guardianship/