Advance Care Planning Workshops

An effective Advance Directive (also called a Health Care Directive) indicates your wishes about your care should something bad happen and you can’t speak for yourself. Many people arrive at hospitals with either no instructions in writing, or with a paragraph written in language too vague for doctors to act upon. Don’t assume that just because your spouse knows your wishes that that’s what will happen in an emergency. Dying With Dignity Canada has many years of experience in helping people express their wishes clearly in an Advance Care Plan.
​                             You can download the Advance Care Planning kit (32 pages) for free.​

Next Workshop:

ACP part ONE: Understanding what happens when you're in "the system"
ACP part TWO: Your Health Care Directive

Date / Time: TBA
Location: Zoom
Cost: FREE to attend, plus whatever it costs you to print your own handouts
​Register:  ​
   Part ONE: Tues., Nov 2 at 1:00 pm
   Part TWO: Tues., Nov 9 at 1:00 pm

​NOTE: SAVE the confirmation e-mail - it contains the event link!
The complete Advance Care Planning kit (32 pages) is available to anyone for free from the DWD website. It appears straightforward enough; however, based on past presentations and reports from patients, families, and health care professionals, there are lots of questions and many issues that need further elaboration and interpretation – hence the need for this workshop.
Topics addressed in the presentation include
  • Legal issues around Advance Care Planning (ACP) and Health Care Directives (HCD), including the difference between an HCD and a Power of Attorney
  • Your rights as a patient
  • How to choose your health care proxy (substitute decision maker)
  • How to ensure that your wishes are carried out
  • Comparisons of different types of HCD’s, and a look at other forms used in advance care planning
  • Discussion of common but imprecise phrases such as “heroic measures” and “artificial means”
  • A walk through the ACP workbook and the Health Care Directive form
  • How to complete the form / how to make copies
  • What to do (and what NOT to do) with your HCD after it’s completed
  • Resources for those who want further information or guidance
Have a pen and paper handy to take notes.
Picture
Dorothy leading an in-person workshop on Advance Care Planning
Workshop Feedback
Oct. 22, 2020:
"Having the material visually displayed on the screen was most helpful"

"We already have a plan through our lawyer, but this pointed out how insufficient it is. Greatly appreciated."

Feb. 22, 2020:
“A wake up call to get started & do the necessary work.”
 
“Loved all the info provided. Very knowledgeable presenter. I like that is was presented by someone with a medical background & experience in the
medical / real world & life experience.”
 
“It was a real eye opener.”

​Feb. 4, 2020:
“Excellent presenter, much practical experience & knowledge was shared. Helped me get my head around the idea of an (sic) HCD, which I previously preferred to ignore!” 
 
“Well done. Dorothy was knowledgeable, well prepared – very effective speaker! Thank you!” 
 
“Notes were given so you can pay attention to the presentation.” 
====================
Jan. 30, 2020:
Q: What aspects of the workshop did you find most helpful?
 
“The information gave direction as to what to enter on the form. Gave me info on what to think about – WOW! I’m glad I came.”
​
“Excellent presenter, & class organization & handouts.”
 
“ I am glad I attended the workshop. Very informative.”
 
“Sharing by the presenter of the intracacies (sic) and practicalities from her experience about health care directive decisions.”
 
“Everything! Thank you!” ​