What is Advance Care Planning & Why Does it Matter?

May 15

Time is a funny thing. One minute, your parents are healthy and active, and you don’t think twice about their future. But then, you start noticing little signs. They’re moving a little slower, getting a little forgetful, and you might even have a health scare.

Suddenly, you realize, it’s happening. Your parents are aging. And, whether it happens slowly or suddenly, you’re confronted with an undeniable truth: things are changing.

And it’s not just about your parents. What about your own future? We all assume we can make healthcare decisions, but what if you can’t? Think about it: Would your loved ones know what you want if you couldn't speak for yourself?

That’s where Advance Care Planning comes in. It’s more than just a document. It’s a thoughtful process that puts you in control of your decisions, helping you prepare for those difficult choices that may come when you’re unable to speak for yourself.

In this blog, we’ll better understand what advance care planning is, when you should start thinking about it, and why it matters so much.

What is Advance Care Planning? What is an Advance Care Plan?

Simply put, Advance Care Planning is where you think carefully about how you want to be treated and cared for if something happens to you and you cannot voice your opinion.

It’s not just checking out boxes. It’s about really understanding what treatment you want if something happens. That could include medical treatments, surgeries, your future housing, or even end-of-life care.

So let’s really hone in on what exactly Advance Care Planning is…and is not.

An Advance Care Plan is:

A thoughtful process of reflecting on your healthcare wishes.
A clear guide for your loved ones and medical team in times of uncertainty.
Focused on your values, medical treatment, care decisions, and end-of-life care.

An Advance Care Plan is not:

A will deals with your assets after your passing.
A Power of Attorney (POA) designates someone to handle legal or financial decisions for you if you cannot do so yourself.
A legally binding directive (though it provides guidance, its legal enforceability may depend on other documents).

When should I get started on documenting my wishes?

It depends. (Don’t you hate when people say that?)

However, it depends on many different factors, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to it.

There are some key questions that can help you figure out if it’s time to get started:

Do I have any health concerns that make it possible, or even likely, that I will need someone to make decisions on my behalf?
Am I ready to have that conversation with the people I love? If not now, when will I be ready? Will I ever be ready?
Are there any cultural or religious sensitivities related to your health care?
What will life look like for my loved ones after I’m gone? Will I leave a mess for them to clean up while they’re grieving?

It’s a tough conversation, but the earlier you start, the easier it will be for everyone involved. You don’t have to wait for a health scare to get started. It’s better to be proactive and prepared than to be caught unprepared when making these decisions.

The Benefits of Advanced Care Planning

Here are just a few evidence-based benefits of Advance Care Planning (ACP) that can make a big difference for you and your family:

Reduces Family Stress: Advance Care Planning takes the guilt, stress and anxiety off your family’s shoulders, because they feel more confident in their decisions. That alone is priceless.
Improves Communication: It fosters meaningful conversations about your care preferences, getting your family and healthcare providers on the same page.
Ensures Your Wishes Are Respected: You can have peace of mind, knowing that your care will align with your values, including your end-of-life preferences.

I have seen how a lack of communication and clarity can impact your family’s experience.

I’ve seen firsthand how a lack of communication can affect a family’s experience. One example comes to mind: a man was admitted after a heart attack, put on a ventilator, and his family brought in his living will. But they didn’t fully understand the context or the decisions made.

This led to confusion and emotional conflict, something an ACP could have prevented.

But when families have these conversations in advance, there’s clarity and unity. Families who talk about these tough topics feel more confident in their decisions, knowing they’re truly honoring their loved one’s wishes.

How to Start Your Advance Care Plan

Everyone’s Advance Care Plan will look different depending on their circumstances and what they value.

However, at a high level, there are some broad topics that your advanced care plan should include.

On the legal side, make sure you have a will and Power of Attorneys for personal care and property. You should also review your life, critical illness and disability insurance to make sure it is up-to-date.

When it comes to your health, take some time to think about what “quality of life” really means to you. What are the things that truly matter when it comes to your care? How will my family feel about that? Do my wishes go against their preferences, and if so, how will I handle that? How will we deal with conflict when emotions run high? (And they very likely will - which is why we offer family conferences to help with these challenging discussions.)

Next, make sure your healthcare providers are clear about your wishes. This includes your goals for treatment, your preferred care environment, and whether you’d want certain interventions like a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. You want your care to align with your values, and the more your team knows, the better they can respect your choices.

Finally, think about what happens next and document your final wishes. This could include any religious or spiritual considerations to account for, your funeral, organ donation, and how to handle your personal items.

Remember: your Advance Care Plan is going to evolve as your life changes. But if you at least start now, it will be easier for you, your family, and your care providers.

The Emotional Side of Advance Care Planning

Listen, no one is pretending that this is easy. No one’s idea of fun is sitting down and planning for death, especially when it involves tough topics like palliative care, Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders or even looking at your finances.

It can be uncomfortable, emotionally draining, and downright overwhelming.

I’ve guided countless families through this process, but when it came to my own family’s health, I still found it incredibly difficult to stay grounded and centred. I really do understand how tough it is.

But not talking about it is worse.

Not talking about it means leaving your family in the dark about your wishes. It means that if you’re the decision-maker, you have to make those choices and wonder if they were what your parent would have decided.

It’s tough, I won’t lie. But the clarity it brings to both you and your family? Totally worth it.