April 16 is Advance Care Planning Day and serves as an opportunity to start conversations with your loved ones about what's important to you when it comes to your future health care.
Advance Care Planning is about reflecting on your values, beliefs, traditions and health care preferences, then sharing these with your family, loved ones and health care providers. It's also about choosing someone you trust to speak on your behalf if you are ever unable to speak for yourself.
These conversations help ensure that your care reflects who you are and what matters most to you.
Five Steps in Advance Care Planning
Advance Care Planning includes five main steps:
- Think about what matters to you.
- Learn about any health conditions you have.
- Choose a Substitute Decision Maker, someone who can speak for you, if you are unable to speak for yourself.
- Share your health care wishes with your family, friends and health care providers about your health care wishes.
- Record your wishes, goals and priorities. Share copies with people who matter to you.
FNHA offers culturally relevant resources to support First Nations individuals and families in having these important conversations and making informed decisions.
Your Care, Your Choices
Your Care, Your Choices is a full guide to learning about Advance Care Planning in BC. The guide was adapted with input from First Nations people in BC and health care providers. It includes personal stories, information about substitute decision makers, and medical care options. There are workbook-style pages for you to record your decisions as well as copies of provincial legal forms. Read the guide here.
Preparing a Basket
Advance Care Planning is like having a basket of helpful information that you can reach into when needed. Learn more about how to prepare your basket, here.
Honouring My Journey
Honouring My Journey is a workbook to help you prepare for your future health care. Like preparing a basket, this tool gathers your thoughts, preferences, and plans in one place. It helps your voice to be heard by those walking alongside you on your journey. You can access the workbook here.
