About Advance Care Planning
Advance care planning (ACP) is a process of having conversations to help you and your substitute decision-maker (SDM) prepare for future healthcare decisions, ensuring that your wishes are known and followed when you are unable to make them yourself.
While ACP is often associated with end-of-life care, it’s also relevant for situations where you might be temporarily or permanently unable to make decisions about your healthcare.
Benefits of ACP
- Empowerment: ACP empowers you to make informed decisions about your future healthcare.
- Peace of Mind:It can provide peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.
- Improved Communication:It facilitates better communication between you, your family, and healthcare providers.
- Respect for Autonomy:ACP helps ensure that your wishes are respected, even when you are unable to communicate them.
Our Resources
There are many resources available for Advance Care Planning. Here are some resources that Circle of Care has compiled:
When I’m Gone Document: Preparing for end of life can be challenging and overwhelming. There are many different legal and financial documents that need to be completed as well as ensuring that your personal wishes are followed after death. Make sure your personal information is organized and secure for those who will need access to it after your death.
After a Loved One Has Died: Coping with the death of a loved one can be a difficult task. It is often painful, exhausting, confusing and difficult to handle. Many people are shocked, numbed, lonely, sad and unable to function. After a loved one has passed away, you will be asked to make many decisions — some need to be made and others, you may choose to do or not. This booklet has been prepared to assist you during this period. We hope it will help you cope with the immediate tasks after a death including plans for a funeral or service, burial or cremation, as well as legal and financial matters.
Other Available Resources
Advance Care Planning Canada: ACP Canada is the national voice for the promotion of advance care planning in Canada.
Advance Care Planning Ontario: Advance Care Planning Ontario is an initiative of Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO). HPCO is registered charity that strives for a future where every person in Ontario has access to quality hospice palliative care, including advance care planning.
VIDEO: Advance Care Planning in Ontario
Note: If the video above does not work for you, click here to watch the video.
Advance Care Planning in 5 Steps
From Living Well Planning Well, 2020
Think
Think about your values, wishes, beliefs, and understanding about your care and specific health care treatments.
Learn
Learn about different health care options and what they can and can’t do.
Decide
Decide who will be your substitute decision maker. This will be someone who is willing and able to speak for you if you can’t speak for yourself.
Talk
Talk about your wishes with your substitute decision maker, loved ones, and your health care providers.
Record
Record your wishes. It’s a good idea to write down or make a recording of your wishes.
