The
National Advance Care Planning in Canada initiative is challenging Canadians to
tell their stories on April 16, 2014 – National Advance Care Planning Day.
“Recent surveys have told us that about six
in ten Canadians believe it’s important to talk to someone about their wishes
for care, but only 45% have done so,” says Louise Hanvey, the Project Director
for Advance Care Planning in Canada. “We want to know why.”
The Project’s Speak Up website – www.advancecareplanning.ca –
features a “Personal Stories” section for individuals to share their thoughts
about why they have – or haven’t – made an advance care plan. The process of
advance care planning includes communicating your wishes for care (in writing
or in person) and naming a Substitute Decision Maker, someone who will speak
for you if you can’t speak for yourself.
Stories on the Speak Up website include
thoughts and opinions from Canadians both young and old. Belinda Hannan, for
example, talks about how losing a friend at the age of 20 made her realize that
she needed to face her fears around death and recognize it as a natural part of
life. Chandra Vig recalls the importance of having many conversations in
advocating for her husband’s stepmother, calling them a ‘gift’ that gave the
family the ability to provide the care she wanted.
A recent Harris/Decima poll indicates that
45% of Canadians don’t want to talk about end-of-life care because they are
‘afraid of death’. 39% report being ‘creeped out’ by these types of
conversations. The Speak Up website includes a number of tools to help make
these conversations easier, including videos, wallet cards, workbooks and conversation
starters.
“April 16th is National Advance
Care Planning day – a great opportunity to reflect on your wishes for care and
to share those wishes with those around you,” says Ms. Hanvey. “Speak up and
make your voice heard.”
To read personal stories about advance care
planning, or to share your own, visit: http://www.advancecareplanning.ca/personal-stories.aspx
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