The Province has declared today Advance Care Planning Day in British Columbia. The day highlights the importance of all capable adult British Columbians making their future health-care wishes known in advance of a time when they may be incapable of doing so.

Advance-care planning involves thinking about and communicating wishes for future health-care treatment to loved ones and health-care providers. When an adult's wishes and instructions are written down, they are making an advance-care plan. Adults who have done advance-care planning feel more confident and have greater peace of mind knowing they have thought through the types of health care they would accept or refuse. Sharing their wishes with loved ones and health-care providers can help them through a difficult time.

There are many options available to British Columbians who want to create an advance-care plan. In September 2011, B.C.'s incapacity and personal planning laws were updated, making it easier for British Columbians to make their wishes and instructions known. Now, a capable adult may name their representative in a representation agreement and/or make an advance directive using optional forms, without visiting a lawyer or notary public unless professional advice is needed.

To help British Columbians who wish to do their own advance-care planning, the Province has developed two brochures, a combined advance-care planning guide and workbook, and a video available online at: www.seniorsbc.ca/legal/healthdecisions/

Providing information and tools for advance-care planning is one of the priority actions in the seniors action plan. Through Improving Care for B.C. Seniors: An Action Plan, the Province is building a more accessible, transparent and accountable approach to seniors' care. The plan contains specific deliverables to help seniors and their families navigate the health system, easily access information about care options and have a clear and simple way to register complaints and have their concerns addressed.

Quotes:

Michael de Jong, Minister of Health -

"Today, Advance Care Planning Day in B.C. is a good time to remind all capable adults of the importance of thinking about and talking over their future health-care wishes and instructions with the people closest to them. The new, combined advance-care planning guide and workbook has helpful explanations, scenarios and forms to make an advance-care plan."

Ron Cantelon, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors to the Minister of Health -

"It may not be easy, but discussing wishes for future health-care treatment with loved ones is an important conversation every capable adult should have. By planning ahead, a person's wishes are made known and can be respected, which can reduce the distress that often arises when trying to make decisions that are often about end-of-life care."

Quick Facts:

• The new provincial My Voice: Expressing My Wishes for Future Health Care Treatment advance-care planning guide can help ordinary British Columbians learn about advance-care planning and make their own plans using optional forms.
• Over 380,000 British Columbians have viewed the guide since it went online in February, 2012.
• The new My Voice guide was adapted from Fraser Health's former My Voice booklet which helped capable adults learn about and do advance-care planning.
• The new provincial My Voice: Expressing My Wishes for Future Health Care Treatment guide has been endorsed by B.C.'s six health authorities, the British Columbia Medical Association, the B.C. College of Family Physicians, and the General Practice Services Committee.

Learn More:

For more information on advance-care planning, visit: www.health.gov.bc.ca/hcc/advance-care-planning.html

For more information on the seniors action plan, visit: www.seniorsbc.ca

Media Contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)