April 16th is Advance Care Planning Day.

Hospice Palliative Care, Ontario's Health Care Consent and Advance Care Planning Community of Practice, reminds people to Speak Up!

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. It means having discussions with family and friends, especially your Substitute Decision Maker – the person who will speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself. It may also include writing down your wishes, and talking with healthcare providers and financial or legal professionals.

Discuss your wishes with your substitute decision maker. If you were seriously injured and couldn’t make your own healthcare decisions, do you know who would speak for you? Life can change in an instant. There may be a time where you may not be able to make your own care decisions. It is important to prepare, in case this happens. None of us know what tomorrow will bring. It is important to prepare for a time where you may no longer be able to make your own health and personal care decisions. If you are not able to make your own health and personal care decisions, your substitute decision maker is responsible for making them on your behalf.

 

Learn more at www.speakupontario.ca.

 

Advance Care Planning is a process of thinking about and sharing your wishes for future health and personal care. It can help you tell others what would be important if you were ill and unable to communicate.