You & Your Loved Ones
Advance Care Planning
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In Ontario, Advance Care Planning involves:
- Identifying your future Substitute Decision Maker(s) or SDM(s) and,
- Having conversations about what is important you.
“Learning that these types of conversations are valuable and important to not only your own life, but to the lives of others around you and your loved ones.“
– Waterloo Wellington Resident
Is Advance Care Planning just for people at end of life?
No, not at all. Advance Care Planning applies to everyone. While end of life is an obvious trigger for these conversations, starting them earlier is ideal. We cannot predict when illness or accidents may happen and affect our ability to make decisions. So, it’s important to start these conversations early so that you know who your SDM(s) is, and are confident that they have the information they need to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.
It’s important to discuss your wishes for your own healthcare in the event you are too ill or injured to make those decisions for yourself. But it can be hard to know what questions to ask, and it can also be difficult to understand how Advance Care Planning works in Ontario.
General Resources
Online Resources to assist you with Advance Care Planning.
Substitute Decision-Making Brochure
A Substitute Decision-Maker (SDM) is a person who will make health and personal care decisions for you. An SDM will only make decisions for you if you are not capable of making them for yourself.
Advance Care Planning Ontario’s Interactive Workbook
Who will speak for you? Start the conversation. It’s how we care for each other.
Substitute Decision Makers
Watch this short video to learn more about the hierarchy of Substitute Decision Makers in Ontario.
What Are You Waiting For?
Listen to Theresa’s story why we are never too young to talk about Advance Care Planning conversations.
Inside the ICU: Why Conversations Are Important
For many of us the Intensive Care Unit, better known as the ICU, is a place we are not familiar with. Lynn Weimer, a retired ICU nurse of 36 years, shares her experiences from within the doors of the ICU and the reasons why we should be having ACP conversations with our families.
Other Helpful Resources
- For additional Ontario-specific resources, please visit Advance Care Planning Ontario.
- Watch one of the webinars by our team of highly trained ACP Ambassadors on our YouTube channel.
- Engage with Vitalogue, an interactive video tutorial.
“It Was Her Decision, My Voice”
A local daughter’s touching story of her experience with Advance Care Planning and her Mother’s health.
Reach Out!
We’re here to help.
Community Presentations
It can be difficult to understand how Advance Care Planning works in Ontario. Our Community Presentations can help answer these important questions.
Advance Care Planning: One on One Coaching
If you have specific questions about Advance Care Planning that you would like to discuss on a one-to-one basis, we can help.