End of Life Planning

Planning for end of life care and physician assisted dying have been prevalent themes in the news lately.  

With changes due to take place at the national level, making a plan for end of life care is something we all should do.  With a plan in place, the burden many loved ones face is eased when having to make difficult decisions, and for patients it means that aspect of care has already been arranged.

We know this can be a difficult conversation to have,  but everyone – not just the elderly or those close to end of life– should have an advanced care plan discussing their end of life wishes, because you never know when a crisis may hit.   

“Doctors want to work as partners with their patients, and can play an important role in helping patients prepare for end of life,” says Dr David Attwell in a policy paper on Advanced Care Planning published by Doctors of BC in March 2014.

So, start the conversation with your family doctor, they know and understand your health history and will be able to direct you to patient resources to support advanced care planning.  Normalizing discussions about end of life care earlier rather than later empowers the patient, and with a plan in place will make it easier to make changes over time as health status changes.

For more information on the Doctors of BC policy paper, click here

In the news

Dos and Don’ts of End of Life Planning