Photo © Courtesy of Hospice Palliative Care Ontario
It is important to acknowledge that our health can change without warning. You never know when someone will have to speak for you. In Ontario, there are specific laws about when and who can make health care decisions on your behalf, should you become mentally incapable of doing so. We encourage you to browse the resources available below and participate in the appropriate Advance Care Planning conversations. It can be difficult to have these conversations with your family or friends, but they prove to be helpful in the time need.
Here you will find everything you need to know about Health Care Consent, Advance Care Planning, Goals of Care Discussions, and Substitute Decision Makers.
Your Substitute Decision Maker must know what’s important to you – what quality of life means to you – so they can step into your shoes and make future health care decisions that you would make for yourself if you could. It’s not about specific health care decisions, it’s about sharing an understanding of what values and wishes can inform future health care decisions.
COVID-19 Specific Resources:
- Engaging in Advance Care Planning: Learn about Advance Care Planning and why it is important. The best time to plan for future healthcare choices is before a medical crisis occurs.
- Information for a Substitute Decision Maker: Learn about the importance of Substitute Decision Makers, and why you must act now consider future health or personal care wishes is before a medical crisis occurs.
Other Resources:
- The Substitute Decision Maker Hierarchy: Learn about what a Substitute Decision Maker (SDM) is and how to confirm your SDM.
- What is Advance Care Planning: Learn about Advance Care Planning and why it is important.
- Advance Care Planning Conversations – A Guide for You and Your Substitute Decision Maker: Once, you have confirmed your Substitute Decision Maker, be sure to engage in Advance Care Planning Conversations with them.
- Advance Care Planning Conversation Guide For Ontarians: Use these questions to reflect on and express your Advance Care Planning wishes and values.
- Conversation Starters: Here are some ideas on how to start having Advance Care Planning conversations.
- Practical Guide to Health Care Consent and Advance Care Planning: This Guide has been developed as a resource for anyone with questions about health care consent and advance care planning. It includes the information that everyone needs to know to understand the health care decision making system in Ontario. It provides answers to questions about a wide variety of topics.
- Advance Care Planning Workbook: Complete this work book by printing out your own copy for personal use, or using the online workbook.
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Speak Up Ontario is an initiative of Hospice Palliative Care Ontario to improve awareness of Health Care Consent and Advance Care Planning in the Province of Ontario.
