If Not Now, When?
It’s always too soon until it’s too late. So if not now, then when?
Here are some conscious (and unconscious) beliefs that can get in the way of establishing an official Advance Care Plan
When I need it, the healthcare system will look after me
I keep thinking I have to get this done, but other things keep coming up
I’m not old enough to have to worry about this yet
I’m having too much fun, or too busy, to get sick or die
I understand that 100% of people will die, but it won’t be me
My spouse or my children will look after me
I’ll be sick or dead, so it won’t be my responsibility anymore
The broken reality of the BC system
If we expect the healthcare system to rise up, put us in its arms and embrace us, we are not paying attention. Our healthcare system is in crisis, and it will affect you or someone you love. It’s not fair, and it’s not right, but it is what it is. There are no heroes in the story except ourselves.
The burden of medical crisis on others
The burden of illness, frailty and end-of-life can be extremely heavy, and that's the way life is, especially now. Willfully not knowing, being stubborn, not talking to those who may have to make decisions for us, expecting others to rise to the challenge, or not wanting to imagine a future when we will be sick, old and frail will massively increase the burden on those we love, and the healthcare system.
Advance Care Planning is insurance
You would not drive to Hope, BC without car insurance, so why would you go into the healthcare system without adequate and proper documentation about your values, beliefs and preferences for future healthcare?
Let’s get it done, together
If you have been putting off completing your Advanced Care Planning documents, or they keep falling to the bottom of your to-do list, or if you're waiting for some magic moment like a significant birthday… for all of the above reasons, now really is the time.
Did you know Patient Pathways offers one-on-one Advance Care Planning sessions that seamlessly integrate your medical wishes into the critical documents required by hospitals (aka MOST)? This level of personal planning goes above and beyond what any lawyer or notary offers in their boilerplate end-of-life documentation - at a considerably less cost.
