Canadians are being urged to start talking about advance care planning.
Saturday is National Advance Care Planning Day.
Advance care planning is a process of communicating your future health care wishes and naming a substitute decision maker to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so.
Recent polls have revealed that fewer than 50 per cent of Canadians have talked with their loved ones and nearly 40 per cent are actually ‘creeped out’ by the conversation.
“It’s easy to make excuses - we are all busy, we think it’s depressing, we’ll do it later,” said Louise Hanvey, the project director for the Advance Care Planning in Canada Initiative.
“But the reality is that you really don’t know when something might happen to you and you are unable to speak for yourself. Who would make decisions for you? Do they know your wishes and what to say or do?”
An important component of advance care planning is deciding on a substitute decision maker, someone who will make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so.
There are different legal requirements for naming a substitute decision maker in each province and territory.
Once you decide, it’s time to start talking, says Hanvey.
“Research has shown that advance care planning significantly reduces stress, depression and anxiety in family members and caregivers who know your wishes and can act with confidence on your behalf,” she said.
The Initiative’s Speak Up website (www.advancecareplanning.ca) has a number of resources, including workbooks, videos, wallet cards, and conversation starters, as well as resources and information about legal requirements and local resources for each province.
A national interactive workbook is also available at www.myspeakupplan.ca.
“National Advance Care Planning Day is the perfect time to have these important conversations with your substitute decision maker, family and friends,” said Hanvey. “It’s time to stop making excuses and start talking.”