Advance Care Planning

Life can change in an instant. Are you prepared? If something happened to you and you couldn’t communicate, who would speak and make decisions for you?

Advance Care Planning is a process of reflection and communication: reflecting on your values and wishes; letting loved ones know what kind of health and personal care you would want; choosing a Substitute Decision Maker(s) – someone you trust to be willing and able to speak for you if you couldn’t communicate your wishes.

An Angus Reid poll revealed that while 80 percent of Canadians believe every adult should have an Advance Care Plan, fewer than 30 percent have thought about it. Benefits include: minimizing family feuds, avoiding fractured relationships, improving peace of mind, having a better chance of getting the care you wish. In the last few years over 500 area residents have attended our free Advance Care Planning seminars. They are offered monthly or can be designed for groups.

To register: info@compassionatekingston.ca

An Advance Care Plan is a GIFT you give to your loved ones.

What happens when you can’t make health decisions for yourself? Read here

Learn more at our free workshops:

  • Seniors Centre, 56 Francis St: the third Monday of each month from 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Contact the Seniors Centre at 613 548-7810 to register.
  • Kingston Libraries: Tuesdays from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Register online at: https://calendar.kfpl.ca/events.

To arrange for a virtual Zoom workshop for yourself or a group:  contact info@compassionatekingston.ca.

 Please note: all registrants for live events must show proof of vaccination.

Advance Care Planning Resources

  • Speak Up Ontario: Advance Care Planning resources.  They will send two free copies of the booklet.
  • Attorney General, Government of Ontario: Forms for Powers of Attorney.  The Powers of Attorney kit is at the bottom of the home page under the heading:  Additional Resources.  Be sure to read witness requirements before signing.
  • Death over Dinner: Goal is to minimize the suffering and damage that can happen when people avoid talking about their end-of-life wishes — and to help people connect with loved ones, both while they’re healthy and as they approach death. Over 300,000 dinners have been held.
  • Dying with Dignity: The national human-rights charity committed to improving quality of dying, protecting end-of-life rights, and helping Canadians avoid unwanted suffering.
  • Go Wish: Values and beliefs game (click on bottom left square for free online use)
  • Plan Well, Dr. Daren Heyland, Queen’s University
  • The Conversation Project: A public engagement initiative with a goal that is both simple and transformative: to help everyone talk about their wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected.
  • Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): The page includes an educational video as well as a guide which succinctly explains CPR, risks, likely outcomes, etc.
  • Life Support: some information about life support.
  • Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID): This subject is not part of our Advance Care Planning Sessions. However, a person wishing to choose MAiD must follow the application process provided on the Government of Ontario website. Currently, providing consent in advance of a specific date is not allowed. If you think you qualify for MAiD and want to know more, speak with your doctor or nurse practitioner who will answer your questions and, if you meet the criteria, assist you should you decide to choose MAiD.
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