We had an excellent turnout for the Advanced Care Planning Talk.
Advanced Care Planning may lead to a written Advanced Care Plan which while not a legal document is a powerful one because decision makers will have guidelines to follow should they be placed in a position of speaking for you. There are 4 options for Advanced Care Plans.
- The adult decides in advance what should be done by using an advance directive; this is legally binding with some exceptions.
- The representative decides using the advanced care plan and and advance directive if one exists.
- The representative decides based on their knowledge of the adult’s beliefs, values and wishes.
- The temporary substitute decision-maker decides.
The Advanced Care Plan and Representation Agreement
- A Representation Agreement indicates who you want to speak for you when you are not capable of speaking for yourself.
- An Advance Care Plan provides information about the kind of care you want to receive.
Both documents are needed to ensure the care that the individual wants to receive is clearly understood and provided.
- The plan sets out the kinds of decisions the representative may make.
- The Advance Care Plan works hand-in-hand with a Representation Agreement.
Your Advance Care Plan can include:
- Power of Attorney where you appoint someone to make decisions about your financial affairs, business and property.
- Representation Agreement where you appoint someone to make decisions regarding your health and personal care.
- Advance Directive with your instructions for health care that are given to your health care provider.
No CPR Form
You may want to record your wish to not have Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or other emergency medical procedures provided by first responders or other health care providers if your heart or lungs suddenly stop. This form must be signed by a consulting adult, you, your substitute decision maker or your physician or nurse practitioner.
Steps in Advance Planning
- Visit http://www.nidus.ca/ and review videos and case studies.
- Download an Advance Planning guide such as my voice www.gov.bc.ca/advancecare. This document provides information to start the process.
- Have family conversations about your beliefs, values and wishes.
- Gather the contact information for your Temporary Substitute Decision Maker (TSDM) and write this in your plan.
Planning ahead makes sure your wishes are adhered to and your representative is not left in the position of having to make decisions without any direction.