About Advance Care Directives An Advance Care Directive (Directive) is a legal document that a person with decision-making capacity makes about future health care decisions.

Who prepares advance directives?

If you are not able to make decisions, an Advance Care Plan can be made by a family member or someone who knows you well, together with a health professional. It should include your known wishes about treatment.

Who can write an advance care plan?

Advance care planning resources Compassion in Dying – advance decision making. Anyone can write an Advance Decision but Compassion in Dying provides free forms that meet all the criteria needed for it to be legally binding.

Do advance directives need to be notarized?

The advance directive does not need to be notarized, but must be signed by the declarant or another on behalf of the declarant and witnessed by two adults. 4. But, if this is not feasible the health care provider must comply with the patient’s advance directive.

What should be included in a BC advance care plan?

Your BC advance care plan should include: Conversations with family or friends and health care providers about your beliefs, values and wishes. A written record or video of your beliefs, values and wishes for future health care treatment. The names and contact information of your Temporary Substitute Decision Makers or Representatives

How do I find the advance care planning guide?

Make sure the people who need it, can find it, quickly. You can change your advance care plan at any time as long as you remain capable. If you need help finding the advance care planning guide, call HealthLink BC, toll-free at 8-1-1 (dial 7-1-1 for deaf and hearing-impaired [TTY] assistance).

What are advance directives in British Columbia?

In British Columbia advance directives, which are legal documents, are a legal option for all capable adults who want to do advance care planning. For information about advance care planning in B.C., including tools to get started making a plan, visit the links below.

What is an advance care plan (ACP)?

An Advance Care Plan is a written summary of a capable adult’s wishes or instructions to guide a substitute decision maker if that person is asked by a physician or other health care provider to make a health care treatment decision on behalf of the adult. Your Advance Care Plan can also include: