No. A diagnosis of dementia does not automatically mean that a person is incapable of making decisions or executing legal documents. Capacity is specific to the particular decision and the time at which it must be made. A person may be capable of making some decisions — such as where to live or what medical treatment to accept — but incapable of managing complex financial matters.

Capacity can also fluctuate. When family members, health care providers, or financial institutions disagree about a person's abilities, legal advice can help clarify which capacity test applies, whether a formal assessment is appropriate, and how the person's rights can be protected.

Possibly. A person does not need to be capable of managing all of their finances or personal care decisions to make a valid Power of Attorney. However, they must meet the specific legal test for understanding what the document does and the authority they're giving to another person.

Because dementia may progress over time, it's important to get advice as early as possible. A lawyer may also recommend additional steps to document capacity and reduce the risk of the Power of Attorney being challenged later.

The answer depends on the type of decision involved. Ontario law provides a hierarchy of substitute decision-makers for health care decisions, so a relative may be authorized to make certain treatment decisions even without a Power of Attorney for Personal Care.

There's no equivalent automatic authority for managing another adult's money or property. A family member may need to pursue statutory guardianship through the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee, or apply to court to become the person's guardian. Legal advice can help identify the least restrictive and most practical and affordable option.

Not simply because they have dementia, or because their family believes moving would be safer. The person's capacity to decide about admission must first be considered. A person who is capable generally has the right to decide where they'll live, even when others disagree with the decision.

When a person is found incapable, an authorized substitute decision-maker may be asked to decide on their behalf. These cases can become especially difficult when the person objects, family members disagree, or there are concerns about how to physically transport the individual. Legal advice can help families understand the limits of substitute decision-making and explore less restrictive options.

An attorney for property or personal care must follow Ontario law and act in accordance with the incapable person's wishes, interests, and legal rights. Warning signs may include unexplained withdrawals, unusual transfers of property, isolation from family, failure to pay for necessary care, or decisions that appear to benefit the attorney rather than the person with dementia.

Depending on the circumstances, it may be appropriate to request financial records, demand a formal accounting, contact the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee, or bring a court application. Where there's an immediate risk of harm or financial loss, prompt legal advice may be important.