Advance Care Planning

British Columbia Specific Information

Advance care planning is writing down your health care wishes in case you become incapable of deciding for yourself. The Ministry of Health encourages all capable adults to do advance care planning.

For resources and FAQs, visit Advance Care Planning.

Overview

What is an advance care plan?

An advance care plan is a form. It describes the kinds of medical care you want to have if you're badly hurt or have a serious illness and can't speak for yourself. Advance care plans also let you appoint somebody to make health care decisions for you if you can't make them for yourself. The designated person is called a substitute decision-maker, or a health care representative, agent, or proxy.

What should you include in an advance care plan?

It may be hard to know what to include in your advance care plan . Use the questions below to help you get started.

  • Who do you want to make decisions about your medical care if you are not able to?
  • What life-support measures do you want if you have a serious illness that gets worse over time or can't be cured?
  • What are you most afraid of that might happen? (Maybe you're afraid of having pain, losing your independence, or being kept alive by machines.)
  • Where would you prefer to die? (Your home? A hospital?)
  • Do you want to donate your organs when you die?
  • Do you want certain religious practices performed before you die?