Advance Care Directive

Advance Care Planning Policy

On May 17, 2016, Eastern Health implemented a regional policy to initiate discussion about a person’s wishes for end-of-life care. This discussion will take place between staff members and their patients, clients and long-term care residents, at their point of entry into the health-care system.

Advance care planning is about being in control of how you live and die.

The Advance Care Planning Policy (PDF) is designed to encourage you, as an adult, to:

  • think about your values and wishes for end-of-life treatment, in the event that you become incapable of consenting to – or refusing – treatment or other care;
  • to discuss your wishes with the person(s) who will speak for you at a time when you cannot speak for yourself– and with health-care providers, either in a hospital, a long-term care home or a community care setting;
  • to write down your preferences for end-of-life care, while you are physically and mentally well, and not influenced by an emergency situation; and
  • to name a Substitute Decision Maker (SDM) – the person who will speak for you when you cannot speak for yourself.

When faced with sudden, end-of-life decisions, most people will ask for interventions for their loved ones that they would not want for themselves, because most people do not want to feel responsible for making decisions at the end of another person’s life.

We encourage all of our patients, clients and residents to engage in this important conversation. By documenting your plans, your family members and health-care team will be able to make treatment decisions for you – based on your values and wishes.

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Last updated: 2021-10-20