You might have talked to your loved ones about your wishes for the future, but writing those wishes down will help make sure your voice is heard in a situation where you cannot speak for yourself.
This is called Advance Care Planning; it’s the process of thinking about, discussing, and then documenting your preferences for your care and personal matters in case of a situation where you cannot make or communicate decisions for yourself.
It makes sure the people you trust know what matters most to you and that they have the information they need to feel confident in making decisions you would make or that are aligned with your values.
When should I make an Advance Care Plan?
The best time to start your Advance Care Plan is today! Injury and illness can happen to anyone, at any time. This makes Advance Care Planning important for everyone age 18 and older.
You may never need to use these documents but having them ready can help to bring peace of mind to both you and your loved ones in case they are ever needed.
What is included in Advance Care Planning?
Your plan should include a few different documents, like a Personal Directive, Enduring Power of Attorney, and Goals of Care. Each of these documents plays a different role in explaining your preferences and wishes.
What is a Personal Directive?
A Personal Directive (PD) is instructions you make about all personal matters that are not financial or property related, such as:
- Medical treatments you do or do not want.
- Where you would like to live and with whom.
- Who will take care of your children (if they are minors).
As part of these instructions, you can name the person (or people) you trust to make personal decisions for you. These instructions only come into effect if you lose the capacity to make these decisions on your own.
What is an Enduring Power of Attorney?
An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone to make decisions for you about financial and property matters. You can choose whether your EPA comes into effect as soon as you sign it or later and in the case that you lose the capacity to make these decisions on your own.
What about other documents, like a Will?
A Will is an after-death document. Your PD, EPA, and Goals of Care designation are in effect while you are alive, whereas your Will comes into effect after you pass away.
How do I make my Advance Care Planning documents?
Creating these documents is easier than you might think, and there are many free and low-cost resources to help you along the way. Social workers are one of these resources – they can help answer your questions and connect you with community services for more support. Meeting with an ESPCN social worker is free, all you need is a referral from your primary care provider.
You can also register for our Advance Care Planning workshop. This free, one-day workshop is led by an ESPCN social worker and will provide you with information, education, and guidance around completing Advance Care Planning documents. Check the workshops page of our website to learn more: https://www.edmontonsouthsidepcn.ca/workshops/
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