Making the Road Less Lonely
What is Advance Care Planning?
Advance Care Planning conversations are often difficult to start. Even though friends and family want to honor your wishes, they might have trouble talking about end-of-life care. However, if they don’t know what your wishes are, they can’t follow them.
These are conversations we all need to make through out our lifetime, not just when facing a life limiting illness or crisis. Talking together, and often, is the answer to help you give the gift of letting others know your end-of-life wishes.
This is a process of personal reflection about what is important to you, and then talking with your family, friends, and physician about your thoughts. Some questions you might ask yourself are:
What gives my life meaning?
Who are the important people in my life?
What makes them important?
What have been my experiences with death and dying?
How did I cope during these times?
How did my family cope?
Who will take care of my children if I pass away?
What will happen to my pets if I die?
What medical interventions should I know about?
What might some probable circumstances be with my particular medical condition?
What questions should I ask my physician and healthcare team?
The Quesnel & District Hospice Palliative Care Association offers a variety resources for you to explore, from articles, videos, and website links, as well as two education sessions every spring and autumn on how to start these conversations with your loved ones.
Session # 1 - Think, Talk, Plan
This free session address the need for people to think about what their family, loved ones, and their physician need to know in regards to their healthcare plan. Who would be your spokesperson if you were unable to speak for yourself? How do you start this conversation with your chosen substitute decision maker?
Downloadable Forms
(forms also provided at seminars)
ACP Session #1 - "Think, Talk, Plan"
"It's Your Choice" - A Personal Planning Tool
Session #2 - Speak Up
This free session helps you fill out the "My Voice" forms. This is not an easy task, but is a worthwhile gift of knowledge for your family, loved ones, and designated decision-maker so they know how to respect your wishes. You do not have to attend Session #1 in order to take Session #2
Downloadable Forms
(forms also provided at seminars)
Temporary Substitute Decision Makers
Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST)
Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment FAQs
No CPR Form (for First Responders)
Optional Information
ACP "My Voice" Brochure - First Nations
ACP "My Voice" Quick Tips Brochure
ACP "Speak Up" Workbook (Fillable PDF)
Advanced Care Planning
Websites
In British Columbia, advance directives are a legal option for all capable adults who want to do advance care planning. This site is filled with information on starting you Advance Care Planning journey in BC
Advance Care Planning in Northern BC
This site is filled with information to start your Advance Care Planning journey in Northern BC
BC Cancer - Advance Care Planning
Covers the full spectrum of cancer care from prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment, to research and education, support and palliative care
This is an American website but is filled with information on how to start the conversation about end-of-life care
Offer free courses and information province wide regarding choosing and being an executor. Checkout their resources page for free, downloadable resources to help your executor(s) with your estate after death
Advance Care Planning is a process of thinking about and sharing your wishes for future health and personal care. This resource helps you to tell others what would be important if you were ill and unable to communicate
Advance Care Planning Videos
This invaluable website offers many videos to help you in your Advance Care Planning journey
Engage with the issues and empower yourself by watching our thought-provoking webinars on death, dying and preparing for end of life
