Advance Care Planning
It’s how we care for each other
Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a lifelong process of thinking about what matters to you – your values, goals and preferences – and the care you might like to receive at any stage of life. It is also about letting your loved ones know about your wishes.
Almost
50%
Of people will not be able to make their own end-of-life care decisions.
and
93%
Of Canadians believe it’s important to discuss their wishes for their care with family & friends.
Yet only
17%
Have an advance care plan
Source: *Advance Care Planning Webinar featuring Karine Diedrich from the Canadian Hospice and Palliative Care Association
Love is not enough. Tell them what matters most.
When should I create an Advance Care Plan?
There is no specific “right” time to create an Advance Care Plan (ACP). Even for someone in good health: an accident, a planned surgery, being elderly and/or frail, or being diagnosed with a serious disease such as pulmonary fibrosis.
Who will speak for you if you can’t speak for yourself?
The goal of an ACP is to have a person you trust, and who knows what you would want, to speak on your behalf. What decisions would you want them to take? To help you collect your thoughts and create your ACP, follow these five steps that have been provided by Karine Diedrich from the Canadian Hospice and Palliative Care Association.
Think
Think about what is most important to you. Consider your values, wishes and beliefs.
What makes life worth living to you? What abilities (such as eating foods you like, speaking, seeing, hearing, going to the bathroom), were you to lose them, would cause you to consider refusing life-saving treatment?
Learn
Learn all you can about your pulmonary fibrosis and other conditions.
The more you can learn about your illness trajectory the better you will be able to be able to make decisions.
Decide
Decide who to ask to be your Substitute Decision Maker (SDM).
Who knows you best? Who are you comfortable talking to about sensitive issues? Choose someone who is calm in a crisis, can handle conflicts with others, and who can commit to being present when needed.
Talk
Talk about your values, wishes and beliefs with your SDM and others
(family, friends, and healthcare providers.)
Perhaps your SDM is the only one you can talk to about this. If you can, tell others as well. Let them know who your substitute decision maker is in advance.
Record
Record your wishes for your Advance Care Plan.
Getting your thoughts on paper (or an audio or video recording) can remind you what you were thinking at a given point in time. Remember –it’s okay to change your mind. Recording your wishes also will help your SDM, and provides proof for anyone that may have objections.
Learn more about Advance care Planning
It’s important to remember creating an ACP is NOT a one-time event. Circumstances change over time, knowledge and values can evolve. Learn about ACP in this CPFF webinar featuring Karine Diedrich from the Canadian Hospice and Palliative Care Association. For more tools and resources visit Advance Care Planning Canada, and CHPCA .
Leave a legacy
The Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (CPFF) offers a comprehensive Guide to Preparing Your Will to help you think about your legacy and plan in advance with the support of legal and financial professionals.
Choosing to leave a legacy gift to Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation allows you to leave a lasting imprint on a cherished cause, providing ongoing support and resources that will endure beyond your lifetime. Learn how you can make charitable donations in your will.