Advance Care Planning

Advance Care Planning is a process of reflection and communication. It is a time for you to reflect on your values and wishes, and to let people know what kind of health and personal care you would want in the future if you were unable to speak for yourself.

There are five steps in advance care planning:

Think about what is most important to you – your values, wishes and beliefs.
Learn about your overall health. This may include current conditions you want to better understand.
Decide on your Substitute Decision Maker(s), one or more people who are willing and able to speak, for you if you cannot speak for yourself.
Talk about your values, beliefs and wishes with your Substitute Decision Maker(s), family, friends and health care providers.
Record your values, wishes and beliefs in your Advance Care Planning Guide, in a letter, poem, video or audio recording.

ACP Canada

Advance Care Planning (ACP) Canada online interactive workbooks have information about advance care planning.

They are designed to guide you through the 5 Steps of Advance Care Planning. You will make your plan online and be able to download and share a copy with others. This is a free service.

ACP Canada also offer Advance Care Planning Workbooks in fillable PDF and printable PDF formats.

Make a Speak Up Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

What is advance care planning?

Advance care planning is a process of reflection and communication, a time for you to reflect on your values and wishes, and to let others know your future health and personal care preferences in the event that you are unable to consent or refuse treatment or other care.

Advance care planning means having discussions with family and friends, especially your Substitute Decision Maker – the person who will speak for you when you cannot. It may also include writing down your wishes, and may even involve talking with healthcare providers and financial and legal professionals. A written advance care plan may also be called an advance directive or a medical directive. This depends on your province/territory. Check out the resources specific to where you live.

Advance care planning may include thinking about information about treatments that you do or don’t want to have (such as CPR or mechanical ventilation), as well as other information about your care at the end of life (for example, religious rituals, being able to see a family member, dying at home or in palliative care, etc.)

What is a substitute decision maker?

This is the person(s) who will make medical decisions on your behalf in the event you are unable to speak for yourself due to sudden or serious illness. Or just in the event you become unable to consent or refuse treatment or other care options. They may also be called a Medical Proxy, a Medical Agent or a Power of Attorney for Personal Care.

How do I choose a substitute decision maker?

It’s important to choose someone who you trust and feel will be comfortable carrying out and communicating your wishes. Don’t forget to have the conversation – it’s important that your Substitute Decision Maker knows about their role and your wishes.

When does this planning come into effect?

Your substitute decision maker is only called upon if you are unable to make your own health care decisions (e.g. you are in a coma or your illness has impaired your ability to make decisions). Also, any written documents/plans are only referred to under these circumstances. If you have a written document, your substitute decision maker can use it to guide your care and advocate for your wishes.

Can my plans change?

You can change your plans as often as you like. Just make sure that the person representing you understands your wishes and has a copy of your most recent written document(s).

About Advance care planning Canada

The Advance Care Planning Canada initiative, spearheaded by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) since 2008, focuses on an accessible Pan-Canadian Framework for Advance Care Planning. The ACP initiative works in collaboration with various sectors and professional groups to accomplish their goals.

The ACP Canada website highlights the latest news, updates, activities, and events regarding advance care planning across the advance care planning community in Canada. While providing these updates, they also provide a repository of resources and tools developed for professionals and patients/individuals to assist them in making the appropriate decision regarding their end of life care.

The ACP initiative involves a series of public education and awareness campaigns, support of community-based ACP programs, and promotion of ACP resources and guides.

The Trent Hills Family Health Team gratefully acknowledges Advance Care Planning Canada and references them for all of the content on this website page.

THFHT formally recognizes the traditional keepers of this land and, specifically our neighbours of the Alderville First Nation, with a formal territorial acknowledgement. We reside on the Gunshot Treaty Lands of 1788. On these lands and on the shores of the big lake, the Mississauga Anishinabeg

(A-NISH-IN-NAW-BEK) met with the Crown to facilitate the opening of these lands for settlement. Let us be reminded of the responsibility we all have in making sure that we respect these lands and waters that give us life and sustain our livelihoods.

Trent Hills Family Health Team

Improving Lives Together

Advance care planning

ACP Canada

Frequently Asked Questions

About Advance care planning Canada