If Not You, Who? If Not Now, When?
If you couldn’t communicate for yourself, even temporarily, who would make your health and personal care decisions? Would they truly understand what matters most to you?
Waiting too long to have these conversations, or not sharing your preferences, could leave important decisions in the hands of others who may not fully understand what matters most to you.
No one else can truly communicate for you when it comes to your health and personal care if you don’t have an advance care plan that is documented and shared.
It is never too early to start planning and sharing your wishes and preferences for your health and personal care
Advance care planning is something you can do now, before a crisis or sudden change forces decisions to be made under pressure. It gives you time to think about your values, wishes, and priorities, and to talk them through with the people you trust.
Starting these conversations early can ease stress for loved ones and help healthcare teams provide care that reflects what matters to you. By documenting your preferences now, you ensure your voice is heard and your care aligns with your choices, whatever the future brings. Advance care planning is for everyone, whether young or old, healthy or living with health challenges, and the best time to start is today.
This ACP Day 2026, take the opportunity to plan and share your wishes, take charge of your future care, and ease the burden on those close to you who might otherwise face difficult decisions on your behalf. Advance Care Planning Canada will be hosting an ACP Webinar on April 16th at 11:00am CT. For more information on advance care planning and to register, visit https://www.advancecareplanning.ca/
Submitted by Palliative Care Services