Advance Care Planning

Welcome to ACP

"My Voice" Workbook | "My Voice - Planning Ahead" Video

Advance Care Planning (ACP) for Future and Present Health Care Decisions

It is difficult to think about a time when we may not be able to communicate our wishes. If the time came, and someone had to tell your healthcare team what you would want them to do, would your family or close friends know what kind of care you would want? Do those close to you know what is important to you regarding health care?

How and where people die is changing dramatically due to the aging population and advances in health care. Two out of every three individuals will die with one or more serious chronic illnesses. Frailty due to conditions such as dementia, cardiovascular disease, renal disease and Parkinson's Disease will shape the last years of life for the majority of us. We may be sick enough to die but live for many years.

Have a voice in the care you receive if you become unable to speak for yourself.

What would happen if you had a serious illness or injury and could not make your own decisions?
How would your family, friends or healthcare team know your wishes?
Who would speak for you?

Advance Care Planning is the process of thinking about your wishes for health care.

Your wishes are based on your personal values, desires and discussions with your loved ones. These preferences are not right or wrong - they reflect what is important to you. Your healthcare team will consider your wishes, in conjunction with medically appropriate treatment options, and make a decision regarding your treatment.

Why plan in advance?

We never know when we might not be able to speak for ourselves. Taking the time to think about your wishes for health care will help everyone.

Let others know

It is important to talk to your family and/or close friends and your medical caregivers now about the type of care you prefer so they know what your wishes are. If you can't speak for yourself - it is important to let others know what you would want them to say. Although it is difficult to talk about, they will be grateful to have had the chance to have discussed this situation with you. They will feel better knowing they can make your wishes known.

"My Voice" workbook for Advance Care Planning

"My Voice" is a workbook that can help you consider options about future health care decisions and identify what your wishes are. This workbook can then be a guide for others to use if you are no longer able to speak for yourself.

This workbook will let others know your wishes regarding:

who will speak on your behalf
the type of treatment you would want considered
the type of treatment you would not want considered
your wishes for your end of life experience
the values that guide you in making significant decisions

Who should complete "My Voice"?

everyone - we never know when we may face an unexpected event and will be unable to make our wishes known
adults living with chronic disease
older adults

What is the difference between an

M2 and C1 designation?