Empowerment Through ACP: Insights from BC Patient Advocate Connie Jorsvik
Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of protecting your family's future health and well-being in British Columbia. In this recent episode of the Canadian Estate Club’s “Estate Matters” podcast, Connie Jorsvik, Healthcare Navigator, author, and founder of PatientPathways.ca shares her expert insights on the importance of these conversations, and the real-life impact of planning ahead.
Meet Connie Jorsvik: Nurse Turned Healthcare Navigator
Long before Connie Jorsvik, BSN became the founder of Patient Pathways Healthcare Navigation, she thrived amid the intensity of hospital wards, caring for patients in general surgery, cardiology, and maternity for over 25 years. But as the years passed, she couldn’t ignore the silent confusion and helplessness she saw in patients struggling to make sense of the BC healthcare system—a system where critical questions went unasked, and decisions were made without consent.
Everything changed one day when a colleague’s parents landed in separate hospitals, fracturing their family at a time of crisis. Connie’s unwavering drive propelled her to find a way to reunite them under the same roof within a single day, and in that act, she knew her true calling. Inspired and determined, she stepped away from the bedside, venturing into the unknown world of Healthcare Navigation - a role that barely existed in Canada - and built a path where none had been laid before.
Since 2011, Connie and her expert team have supported hundreds of families through serious illness and end-of-life care, educated communities, and empowered patients to take control of their healthcare journeys. At the core of these services is the critical education they provide, tailored specifically for BC residents, helping them prepare for unexpected health crises with practical Advance Care Planning tools and resources.
What Advance Care Planning Is and Why It Matters
Connie defines Advance Care Planning as more than just paperwork—it’s a series of ongoing courageous conversations and legal documents that empower you or an appointed loved one to speak on your behalf when you cannot. This includes preparing Representation Agreements, Advance Directives, and Powers of Attorney, crucial documents under BC law that cover health, personal care, legal, and financial matters. Through open dialogue about values and care preferences, patients can avoid crisis decision-making and ensure their wishes will be honoured.
Real Stories Highlighting the Importance of Planning
Connie shares powerful client stories in this podcast interview, like that of a man with dementia who had clearly documented his end-of-life care preferences, thus avoiding unnecessary suffering and providing peace of mind to his wife. Conversely, she discussed the challenges another family faced without an Advance Care Plan, in which an elder loved one was discharged from the hospital without their knowledge, or adequate home support ready for him.
Role of a Healthcare Navigator in BC
Healthcare Navigation is a unique career path pioneered in Canada and is distinct from Patient Advocacy. Navigators like Connie and her team take time to understand patient wishes and help guide them through medical appointments, coordinating care, and communicating with doctors and specialists to ensure timely, appropriate treatment. Connie’s direct approach often even helps reverse critical care decisions made against the expressed wishes of patients, showcasing the impact of dedicated navigation. This support is especially valuable as families juggle a loved one’s complex care needs alongside their busy lives.
Bridging Legal and Healthcare Gaps
Connie emphasizes the importance of collaboration between Healthcare Advocates and Estate Planners in BC. While lawyers prepare legal documents like Representation Agreements, many families lack coaching on how to use them effectively in real-life medical scenarios. Patient Pathways fills this educational gap, providing workshops, counselling, and resources tailored to BC’s healthcare system to empower families often overlooked by standard estate services.
Make Tomorrow Easier - Take One Small Step Today
Advance Care Planning can feel overwhelming, but taking the first step today can make all the difference for you and your loved ones tomorrow. Connie Jorsvik’s expertise and compassionate guidance show that meaningful conversations and the right legal tools can bring clarity, confidence, and peace of mind during life’s most challenging moments.
To dive deeper into these important topics and hear real stories of how thoughtful planning transforms lives, listen to the full “Estate Matters” podcast episode with Connie. When you’re ready to start your own Advance Care Plan, PatientPathways.ca offers free resources, workshops, and one-on-one support designed especially to help Canadians know what kind of care they actually would want in a crisis, and how to effectively communicate their wishes to loved ones and healthcare teams.
Empower yourself with knowledge, plan proactively, and protect your family’s health legacy—because those conversations matter.
Ready to breathe a sigh of relief? Join our mailing list for $100 off our personalized ACP sessions❤️
“Thank you for your help in preparing my final Advance Directive, you made the whole process very easy and manageable. Your experience and knowledge has made all the difference in the comfort level I now feel.”
