Essential Documents Every Canadian Senior (and Their Family) Should Have Ready

If something unexpected happened tomorrow, would your family know where to find your health card? Your Will? Your insurance paperwork?

For many Canadian seniors, the answer is “sort of” or “not really.” However, having key documents in one place can reduce stress, protect your wishes, and save loved ones from making difficult decisions without the necessary information.

Whether you’re planning for yourself or helping a parent get organized, this guide walks you through what to collect, why it matters, and how to keep it all accessible but safe.

Why It’s Important 

Emergencies don’t give warnings. If a health crisis, accident, or sudden life change happens, having the right documents ready can make all the difference. It ensures:

• Your medical care follows your wishes

• Someone you trust can step in to help with finances or decision-making

• Your estate is handled smoothly and legally

• Your family isn’t left scrambling or stressed

Whether you live in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, or a small town in Nova Scotia, these documents matter across all provinces and territories.

If you’re also planning for housing transitions or retirement living, we recommend exploring our full senior services directory at:
www.SeniorCareAccess.com

Must-Have Documents for Canadian Seniors

1. Personal Identification

Keep current copies of:

• Canadian birth certificate or citizenship card

• Passport

• Health card (provincial or territorial)

• Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Why it matters: These are often required for travel, banking, and applying for benefits or housing.

2. Medical & Health Documents

You should have:

• Health card

• Current list of medications, conditions, and allergies

• Advance Care Directive (also called a medical directive)

• Power of Attorney for Personal Care

• DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders, if applicable

Learn more about advance care planning here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/palliative-care/advance-care-planning.html

 Also see our article on Who Decides When You Can't: The Importance of Having a Power Of Attorney.

3. Legal Documents

• Last Will and Testament

• Power of Attorney for Property

• Names and contact info for your lawyer or estate advisor

• Copies of any family law agreements or divorce documents

Without a Will, your estate may be subject to a time-consuming intestate probate process. Consider reviewing your estate plan yearly.

4. Financial & Tax Records

• Recent bank statements

• Investment and pension details

• Tax returns from the past 2–3 years

• CRA account info (online login if applicable)

• Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), and GIS details

Tip: Inform a trusted contact where these are stored and how to access them if needed.

5. Insurance Policies

Include:

• Life insurance

• Home or condo insurance

• Long-term care or critical illness coverage

• Travel or dental insurance still in effect

Having provider names and policy numbers written down makes claims easier in urgent moments.

6. Property and Housing

This category includes:

• Deeds or mortgage agreements

• Condo board bylaws (if applicable)

• Lease or Life Lease contracts

• Rental agreements (for retirement residences or assisted living)

• Recent property tax statements

7. Emergency Contacts & Personal Notes

• Family phone numbers and email addresses

• Lawyer, financial planner, or executor details

• Password manager info (or location of handwritten passwords)

• Funeral/memorial instructions, if known

• Notes about your care preferences if not outlined in your Directive

Printable-Style Checklist

✔ Personal ID – Birth certificate, passport, health card, SIN
✔ Medical Info – Advance directive, care POA, meds list, allergies
✔ Legal Docs – Will, property POA, lawyer contact
✔ Financial Info – Bank details, taxes, CRA info, CPP/OAS
✔ Insurance – Life, home, LTC, travel
✔ Housing – Deeds, leases, life lease, taxes
✔ Contacts & Wishes – Emergency numbers, passwords, funeral info

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need a lawyer to create a Power of Attorney in Canada?

A: It depends on your province. In Ontario and many other provinces, you can handwrite it or use official forms to create one yourself, but legal advice is highly recommended to ensure it's valid and enforceable.

Q: Where should I keep my Will and POA documents?

A: Keep the originals in a fireproof/waterproof safe or safety deposit box. Let your POA, lawyer, or executor know how to access them.

Q: Can I store scanned copies online?

A: Yes. A secure, password-protected digital vault or encrypted cloud folder is a great backup, but paper originals are still legally preferred.

Q: Should my adult children have copies of these documents?

A: At minimum, they should know where to find them. Giving copies to your Power of Attorney or executor is a good idea.