Advance care planning

Adults who are able to make their own health-care decisions – especially those with a chronic or complex health condition – are encouraged to start the advanced care planning process.

When you’re ready to start the conversation about advance care planning, the first step is to speak with your health-care provider and those close to you to make sure they know your wishes, understand them and are willing to honour them.

How you could start the conversation:

“I’ve been thinking about the future and what kind of health care decisions I might have to make. I wonder if we could talk about it.”

Once you have completed your plan, give copies to your doctor and the people who are close to you.

You can change your advance care plan at any time while you are still capable of making decisions – you are not locked into your plan. If you do change your plan, give new copies to your health care providers, representative (if you have one), family and friends and revoke your old plan.

Does a power of attorney cover health care decisions?

No. In British Columbia, your power of attorney can only make legal and financial decisions for you. They cannot make decisions about health care.

The new provincial My Voice Expressing My Wishes for Future Health Care Treatment booklet explains the new advance care planning options and how they work. It also has the forms you need to make the advance care plan you choose. 

1. A basic advance care plan: a written statement of your beliefs, values and wishes, with a contact list for people who could be your potential Temporary Substitute Decision Maker.
2. A basic advance care plan, plus name a Representative in a Representation Agreement; the representative will make health and personal decisions for you.
3. A basic advance care plan, plus make an Advance Directive. An Advance Directive is a capable adult’s written instructions that speak directly to their health care provider about future health care treatment.
4. A basic advance care plan, plus name a Representative in a Representation Agreement and make an Advance Directive.