What is Advance Care Planning?

Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a way to plan ahead for the future so if you ever experience a medical emergency and are unresponsive, your wishes have already been communicated to your medical team and your loved ones.

It is a process that is unique for everyone and can include:

Having conversations with loved ones and your medical team

Completion of an Advance Directive, POLST, or other form

Submission of an Advance Directive to a hospital, emergency room, or clinic

Advance Care Planning can be done by anyone over the age of 18, not just seniors or those with a chronic or terminal illness.

What is an Advance Directive?

An Advance Directive is a legal document for people 18 years and older that indicates the types of medical care that you would like to receive if you are very sick or injured and cannot speak for yourself.

Types of Advance Directives include:

  • MyCare

  • POLST

  • Five Wishes

  • Attorney-specific documents (living will/trust)

  • And more!

Become an ACP Champion!

Why Should I Care About Advance Care Planning Now?

One of the most important things we can do for ourselves and those we love is to ensure that our wishes are clear, and that they have been communicated to our loved ones and rendered in a way that is legally binding.

What types of medical care would you like and for how long? Is there a timeframe you want to keep in mind? What is an ideal quality of life for you? By answering these questions ahead of time, if a time comes where you cannot advocate for yourself, you have already made important and personalized decisions about your care.

Making decisions ahead of time gives you and your loved ones peace of mind. Choosing medical treatments for someone when you don't know what they want can result in guilt, grief, and conflict for everyone involved. Advance Care Planning removes the burden of decision making for your loved ones and makes sure your wishes are followed no matter what.

Learn more about the MyCare Advance Directive