Advance Care Planning (ACP) is for your Future
Advance Care Planning (ACP) is preparation for a time when you are not able to speak for yourself due to serious injury, illness, or advancing cognitive decline. This is not just for older adults. It is preparation for all adults of all ages, no matter their state of health.
ACP is an umbrella term for ongoing conversations and documentation about your values, beliefs, and preferences for care for a time when you are seriously injured or ill, when you have been diagnosed with a life-threatening or life-ending illness, or when you have advanced cognitive decline.
It is up to you and your substitute decision-maker (hopefully, your Representative) to make sure your ACP documents are delivered at each and every point of care. Make healthcare teams aware of them. (If in doubt, talk to the social worker for the hospital unit or facility.)
Steps in Advance Care Planning
Determine your values, beliefs, and preferences for future health care.
Decide on who will be your future decision makers regarding your health and personal affairs (in BC, your Representative) and your financial affairs (power of attorney/attorney).
Document your wishes for future health care.
Have vital, ongoing conversations with your loved ones. substitute decision-makers and your healthcare team.
Your preferences for future care are likely to change with the progression of serious illness and age.
Advance Care Planning documents include:
Representation Agreement: formally & legally appointing who can assist you or speak on your behalf for you.
Enduring Power of Attorney: for financial affairs when you are not capable. (Enduring is effective upon execution and continues despite incapacity).
Advance Directive (a legally binding document outlining your wishes for future healthcare procedures); a non-binding document such as a Living Will or Letter (or Memorandum) of Wishes for Medical Care.
No CPR form: only if you do not want to be resuscitated (must be signed by you and your physician.) This is also commonly referred to as DNR (Do Not Resuscitate.)
Expected Death in the Home form only if you are approaching end-of-life and might want to die at home (signed by you and your physician).
Put copies of your ACP documents on or beside your fridge – or a clear note on your fridge where they can be found!
Have originals readily available: they aren’t any good in a safe deposit or lawyer’s office.
Cues to re-examine your ACP documents
If you have a new diagnosis
If your health changes
Every five years or a significant birthday
If your marital status changes
If you become estranged from your Representative or POA, or they become ill or die
After the death of someone significant in your life, especially if they were your Representative or POA.
Patient Pathways provides one-on-one support in helping patients access BC healthcare services and determine Advance Healthcare Directives. See our Services and Fees.
