Taking Control of Your Future: Why Advance Care Planning Day Matters for Your Health and Peace of Mind
By David Kua
April 16th is Advance Care Planning Day in Canada!
Every day, we make countless decisions—some small, some big and others life-altering. Yet, among all these choices, one of the most important decisions we can make is our health and how we want it to be managed in the future. This is where Advance Care Planning comes into play, and it's why Advance Care Planning Day is so important for everyone.
What is Advance Care Planning?
Advance Care Planning is a process of communication and reflection. It is the time to discuss your values, beliefs, and preferences for future healthcare decisions with your loved ones, should you become unable to make those decisions for yourself due to illness or injury. While the topic may seem difficult or uncomfortable to communicate, having a clear, documented plan for your future health care can provide peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.
Why is Advance Care Planning Important?
It Gives You Control
Advance care planning allows you to remain in control of your healthcare decisions, even if you're no longer able to make them yourself. Whether it’s specifying your preferences for end-of-life care or deciding how you want to be treated in a medical crisis, advance care planning ensures your voice is heard.
In patients with advance care planning in place, they are able to live well until the end. Patients are found to spend more time at home at the end of life near their loved ones and more prevalent death at the preferred place (Burghout et al., 2022).
It Reduces Stress for Loved Ones
In the event of a medical crisis, your family and friends may be left to make difficult decisions on your behalf. Without a clear plan in place, this can cause confusion, guilt, and uncertainty. Advance care planning eliminates this burden by providing your loved ones with clear guidance on what you would want during difficult times.
In a randomized controlled trial, Detering et al. (2010) found that families of individuals who had completed advance care planning before death experienced less stress, anxiety, and also depression.
It Reduces Healthcare Costs and Lead to Efficient Use of Hospital Resources
Advance Care Planning helps individuals make informed decisions about their healthcare preferences, particularly in situations involving serious illness or end-of-life care. When healthcare providers understand a patient’s preferences, they can use resources more effectively, offering hospital care only to those who need it and palliative care for those who prefer more comfortable and less invasive treatments.
Implementing Advance Care Planning can reduce healthcare consumption by enabling some individuals to receive treatment and care at home instead of being admitted to the hospital (Brinkman-Stoppelenburg et al., 2014; Kononovas et al., 2017).
How to Get Started
Taking the first step toward advance care planning can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.
Think About Your Values: Reflect on what you want best for your healthcare if you’re unable to make those decisions (eg. treatment preferences). Decide on treatments you will and won’t accept.
Talk to Your Loved Ones: Have open discussions with your family members about your preferences so that they understand your wishes. Choose someone you trust to be your healthcare proxy or Temporary Substitute Decision Maker (TSDM).
Fill out the Advance Care Plan Document: Complete the document found on the gov.bc.ca website and make sure your preferences are clear.
If you need help finding the advance care planning guide, call HealthLink BC, toll-free at 8-1-1 (dial 7-1-1 for deaf and hearing-impaired [TTY] assistance).
Store and Share Your Documents: Keep your Advance Care Plan documents in a safe and accessible place so people can quickly find them in times of emergency.
Review Regularly: Revisit the document regularly so that if your health or life circumstances change, the document will still reflect your wishes.
Final Thoughts
Advance Care Planning is for everyone, no matter where you are on your healthcare journey. Whether you're a young adult, an older adult, enjoying good health, or managing a chronic condition, starting your plan today is a gift to yourself and your family tomorrow.
Don't wait. Start your advance care planning today—it’s one of the best steps you can take to secure the future you want.
Feel free to explore the BC Brain Wellness website and learn about the latest research, tips and resources for living your best life.
For more information:
Government of BC Advance Care Planning: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/seniors/health-safety/advance-care-planning
Steps to advance care planning: https://www.bc-cpc.ca/
References:
Burghout, C., Venrooij, L. M. W. N., Bolt, S. R., Smilde, T. J., & Wouters, E. J. M. (2022). Benefits of Structured Advance Care Plan in end-of-Life Care Planning among Older Oncology Patients: A Retrospective Pilot Study. Journal of Palliative Care, 38(1), 30–40. https://doi.org/10.1177/08258597221119660
Brinkman-Stoppelenburg, A., Rietjens, J. A., & Van Der Heide, A. (2014). The effects of advance care planning on end-of-life care: A systematic review. Palliative Medicine, 28(8), 1000–1025. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216314526272
Detering, K. M., Hancock, A. D., Reade, M. C., & Silvester, W. (2010). The impact of advance care planning on end of life care in elderly patients: randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 340(mar23 1), c1345. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.c1345
Kononovas, K., McGee, A., & EMAP Publishing. (2017). The benefits and barriers of ensuring patients have advance care planning. Nursing Times, 113(1), 41–44. http://emap-moon-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/01/041-044_The-benefits-and-barriers-of-ensuring-patients-have-advance-care-planning.pdf
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