By Catherine McKellar
For those in Girl Guides or Scouts, you may remember the motto “Be Prepared.” The motto encourages youth to plan and think ahead. We may not have made too much of this motto at the time, but after reaching adulthood and adding in the past two years of a pandemic, this motto takes on a new meaning when dealing with aging parents or family illnesses.
For the Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association (NSHPCA), the “be prepared” motto could apply to the importance of advance care planning. Advance care planning is the process of thinking and talking about what matters most to you and planning for your health and personal care if you ever get sick, injured or can’t speak for yourself.
Most of us don’t want to think about death or being incapacitated. It’s scary. But having these discussions is so important for families. “Advance care planning is not only about final life decisions,” says Colleen Cash, Executive Director, NSHPCA. “It is about talking about what matters to you regarding your health and quality of life and preparing you and your family for when you may be unable to make health or personal care decisions. ACP helps ensure health and personal care decisions incorporate an individual’s priorities, goals and values.”
In 2021, a Nanos poll showed that 2 out 3 Canadians talked to a family member about ACP. And, even though 77% of Canadians thought it was important to speak with their healthcare provider, only 7% had done so. Throughout Canada, the main barrier appeared to be a lack of information and accessibility to resources.
In Nova Scotia, NSHPCA is working to normalize the conversations. Through its volunteer program, the association attempts to reach all Nova Scotians living in either urban or rural areas of the province.
Advance Care Planning can include writing your wishes for future health and personal care in a notebook or a formal written document, but that is not necessary. Having a conversation with people you trust and who will carry out your wishes is the most important. When people understand what is important to you, this will help guide them in making decisions on your behalf.
Often, families find themselves in acute care situations having to make major medical or personal care decisions without knowing what was wanted or second-guessing decisions. Emotions run high and vital decisions need to be made quickly. This adds significant stress to an already difficult situation. “One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the example of open, honest, loving conversations about difficult topics,” says Ann Cosgrove, President, NSHPCA. “When our children are young, we teach them to work hard, be kind, be honest. Wonderful characteristics we value in human beings. But we also need to teach and model how to have difficult discussions. Inevitably, we are all going to say goodbye to loved ones. We need a plan so that parents and children can lovingly support each other when the time comes without second-guessing or questioning every decision. They will already have the information they need to be confident that they are making the right decisions for their loved one.” “Starting the conversation is the first step,” adds Cosgrove. “And know it doesn’t have to happen all at once. So pour a cup of tea, get comfortable and talk.” National Advance Care Planning Day is April 16th. Throughout April, volunteers are hosting various activities across the province related to ACP–workshops, Lunch & Learn sessions, and Town Hall meetings–all to encourage Nova Scotians to plan. To learn about what is happening near you or if you want to host a special event on ACP in your community, contact Colleen Cash at ccash@nshpca.ca or call 902.818.9139. NSHPCA will assist you. This article is the final in the 3-part series with Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association. Advance Care Planning Day, April 16th, 2022. Contact the Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association to find an ACP workshop near you or access ACP materials.
Photo by Juliane Liebermann on Unsplash
