On April 16, Chilliwack Hospice Society joins organizations across Canada in recognizing Advance Care Planning Day and encouraging people to think about, talk about and document their wishes for future health and personal care.

Advance care planning helps ensure that if a person cannot speak for themselves, even temporarily, the people closest to them and the health-care team understand what matters most to them.

Advance care planning is not only for older adults or people who are seriously ill. It is for everyone. It is a process of reflecting on your values, wishes and priorities, choosing who could speak on your behalf if needed, and sharing that information before a crisis happens. This year’s national message asks an important question: If Not You, Who? If Not Now, When?

What is advance care planning, and why does it matter?

Advance care planning gives people the opportunity to consider what matters most to them before decisions need to be made under pressure. It can help reduce stress for loved ones, support clearer communication, and guide care that reflects a person’s values and wishes. ACP Canada says it is never too early to begin these conversations.

“Advance care planning is one of the most practical and compassionate things we can do for ourselves and for the people who may one day need to speak for us,” said Deanna Fedorkew, community education manager at Chilliwack Hospice Society. “These conversations can be hard to start, but they matter. When people take time to think about what is important to them and share those wishes clearly, it can reduce stress and uncertainty during some of life’s most difficult moments.”

Why more people need to start the conversation

Recent national polling suggests many people in Canada understand the value of advance care planning, but fewer have taken the next steps.

According to the 2024 Advance Care Planning Canada national poll infographic, 82 per cent of people in Canada believe recording their wishes would help take pressure off loved ones, and 77 per cent agree that having an advance care plan makes them feel relieved. The same poll found that eight in 10 people believe society needs to be more open about talking about illness and death.

At the same time, the poll points to some of the barriers people face. Fifty-seven per cent say thinking about a decline or sudden change in health brings out negative emotions. Nearly half, or 47 per cent, say they do not know where to find information or advice about advance care planning. The poll also found that 43 per cent of people think the best time to plan for future health and personal care needs is while they are healthy.

“We want people to know they do not have to navigate this alone,” Fedorkew said. “Advance care planning is not about having every answer immediately. It is about starting the conversation, learning what options are available, and making sure your voice is known.”

Free workshop this July

To support people in this work, Chilliwack Hospice Society will host its next free, two-part advance care planning workshop on Tuesday, July 21, and Thursday, July 23, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Chilliwack Hospice Society, 7112 Vedder Road.

These sessions are designed to help participants better understand advance care planning, reflect on their wishes, and begin having meaningful conversations with the people they trust.

“It is one of the most important gifts you can give your loved ones,” Fedorkew said. “Having a plan in place can ease the burden during stressful times and help ensure that future care reflects your wishes.”

A digital option for planning at home

For those who would prefer to work through the process on their own, ACP Canada also offers the Advance Care Planning Digital Guide. Developed in partnership with Thrive Health, the guide helps people think about what matters most to them and document wishes for health and personal care online. It also includes tools to securely store and share preferences with loved ones and sends yearly reminders to review the plan.

Free community education throughout the year

Throughout the year Chilliwack Hospice Society hosts a variety of in-person and virtual educational workshops and presentations for the community. Topics may include advance care planning, financial and legal matters, self-care and wellness. Educational workshops are provided for free thanks to the generosity of individual donors and businesses in our community.

Chilliwack Hospice Society is a community-based organization that helps individuals and families dealing with dying and death through support, education, and programs that promote wellness and healthy grieving.

Sources and additional resources

Readers who would like to learn more or review the original materials can visit:

• Advance Care Planning Day – ACP Canada
• Advance Care Planning Digital Guide – ACP Canada
• Advance Care Planning Canada national poll infographic (2024)

According to the BC Centre for Palliative Care, over three quarters of British Columbians agree that it’s important to talk about what matters most of them about their future health care, but less than half have talked with their family, and fewer still (14%) have had a conversation with a health care provider.

Advance care planning is a process of thinking about your values, beliefs, and wishes for future health and personal care, and sharing them with the people you trust. It can include choosing who would make care decisions for you if you cannot. Advance care planning can help you get the care that’s right for you, even if you’re unable to speak for yourself.

As an important part of life planning—like planning for education, retirement or saving for a vacation⁠—every adult in BC should engage in advance care planning.

When life happens, a person’s health can change in an instant. It’s more important than ever to talk to those they trust about their values, beliefs and wishes, to prepare for a time when they may no longer be able make their own medical decisions.

“We are encouraging members of the Chilliwack community to start talking about their wishes for their future care,” says Laurie McNaught, co-facilitator of the advance care planning workshops for Chilliwack Hospice Society. “These conversations are not easy ones to have, but there are resources and support available.”

Chilliwack Hospice Society will be offering free, two-part in-person workshops to help you or your parent(s) develop an Advance Care Plan, including one’s Beliefs, Values and Wishes, Temporary Substitute Decision Maker, Representation Agreement, and Advance Directive. There are two sets of sessions to choose from:

• July 18 & 25, 2022 | 1–3pm
• November 17 & 24, 2022 | 7–9pm

Registration is required as space is limited. Please call Laurie McNaught, Community Outreach and Education Manager, at (604) 795-4660 or email laurie@chilliwackhospice.org to register or request more information.

Here is what some of our clients had to say:

“Thank you, Laurie and Sue! Who knows how long we would have put this off without your help!”

“Thank you so much for helping us to get our end-of-life plans in order legally. I have booked our appointment at the end of April with the lawyer to do our wills and everything all at once. Thank you for the motivation!”

“I appreciate that your sessions made me feel better about the support I gave my mom at the end of her life and reaffirmed my actions taken and decisions made on her behalf.”

“What really was the best part for me is that you were both so caring and compassionate. This made a difficult topic easier to deal with.”