What is advance care planning?

Advance care planning (ACP) is personal planning for your health care. It can be done at any age or stage of your life and health care journey and helps prepare others if you are unable to speak for yourself.

Advance care planning identifies what your values are, what a good day looks like for you, what brings you joy and what brings your life meaning. Reflecting on your personal values, and their importance, helps you to make decisions related to your health care.

Advance care planning involves having meaningful conversations with your family, friends and your health care team to share what you have identified as important to you. It may also involve naming a substitute decision maker, a trusted friend or family member, who can make decisions for you if you are not able to.

Watch this short video to learn more:

 

Who is advance care planning for?

Advance care planning is for everyone – no matter where you find yourself on your health care journey. Whether you are a young adult or older adult, are healthy or have a chronic illness, now is the best time for you to start planning.

What matters to you may change, so it is always a good idea to revisit advance care planning – throughout your life and health journey. Let’s get started.

Attend a community session to learn more and ask questions.

We provide regular virtual public information sessions on advance care planning.

If you are interested in hosting an advance care planning information session for a group of 25 or more people, please complete our request form below.

Sessions talk about:

  • What is advance care planning? When should I start planning? What kinds of things do I need to think about?
  • Who would be a good health care decision maker if I can’t make my own decisions?
  • Should I choose someone now?

In-person sessions are considered on a case-by-case basis, when all required safety precautions can be fully addressed.

If you have any questions, please contact advancecareplanning@fraserhealth.ca.

Questions or don't know where to start?

Contact Fraser Health’s Advance Care Planning team

Call 1-877-825-5034 now or click to email us below.