Choosing who supports your health and end-of-life decisions

• If you are planning ahead or have little time, think about who you want to be involved, when, and how.
• Reflect on those you trust and who are closest to you. Look at your care partners and how they have been involved.
• Confirm the people you have chosen to support your health and end-of-life decisions (professional and personal).
• Keep in mind, though, that unforeseen factors can impact even the best-laid plans.

Update your list of health care and business professionals

Review your list on the template below or in your special phone contacts. Add these new roles that are important to you with the person’s name, contact info, and any special instructions. Visit the resource kit to learn about these roles and services.

Health Advocate

Temporary Substitute Decision-Maker

Substitute Decision-Maker

Palliative Care Professional

Hospice Care Professional

Cultural Spiritual Advisor

End of Life Doula

Power of Attorney (Enduring)

Executor

Lawyer

Notary

Discussing and recording your end-of-life wishes

• Find a safe space to discuss your end-of-life wishes with those you trust.
• Have this discussion before you are very ill and unable to make clear decisions.
• Talk to your physician, nurse practitioner, specialist, palliative care and hospice care professionals to answer your questions and concerns.
• Share your values, beliefs, and any concerns about end-of-life care, the dying process, death and after life preferences.
• Think about and voice your choices around personal boundaries and privacy and confidentiality during your final days and after your death.

Tip

Consider seeking guidance from your health care professionals, palliative care or hospice care specialists and cultural spiritual advisor. Planning can provide peace of mind and ensure your wishes are heard.

Questions to think about and discuss with those you trust.

(Download the End-of-Life template at the bottom of this section if you wish to explore this topic).

WHO

• Is your temporary substitute decision-maker list up to date? 
• Or, have you prepared a representation agreement that names a substitute decision-maker to make health care decisions on your behalf, if you are unable to do so?
• Have you discussed the visitors you want at your bedside in your final days? Any specific instructions for them during this time?
• Do you have cultural spiritual advisors that you want to be called?

WHAT

• What may make you comfortable (music, prayer, family, friends, traditions) in your final days?
• If choices are available, what medical interventions to you want or not want?
• Have you discussed a Do Not Resuscitate or No CPR order or Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST) with your physician or nurse practitioner?
• Are your wishes and preferences written in an advance care plan?

 WHERE

• Where do you want to be at the end stage of your life (at home, in hospital, in palliative care or hospice care, or other)?

HOW

• Have you discussed any cultural, spiritual, or religious traditions you want at the end of your life?
• Do you know about Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)?
• If you choose MAID, are you interested in learning about bereavement support or support groups for loved ones?
• How do you want to be remembered? What are your wishes for your celebration of life, funeral, or memorial?
• Have you considered and/or are you registered to be an organ donor? 
• Have you discussed how you would like your passing to be communicated to others (by phone, in print, and/or by social media)?

It is important to know that many health, government, and non-profit groups have written booklets and tools to guide you in discussing and making end-of-life decisions. You can learn about these decisions documents and download their templates from the resource kit.

A list of suggested personal decision documents.

Advance Care Plan

Advance Directive

Do Not Resuscitate or No CPR order

Advance Directive

Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST)

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Request

Organ Donor Registration

Power of Attorney (Enduring)

Representation Agreement

Temporary Substitute Decision-Maker

Will

Tip

Our goal in creating Mywell Health was to provide you with current information on topics that might be new to you. In addition, a place to record and store that information in single place – be it a print binder or digital files in your Mywell Health planner.

Updating your will regularly ensures your wishes are followed and helps prevent family conflicts.

• Choose an executor who will carry out your wishes.
• Consider their skills, personality, and the time commitment. Executors can be compensated, so learn about this. Understand the roles of an executor and power of attorney, even if it’s the same person.
• Consult professionals to ensure your will is valid, complete, and up-to-date.
• Visit the Alzheimer’s Society of BC. Alzheimer’s Society of BC for resources like their ‘Will Planning Checklist“.

Writing a will with your very personal choices.

Items to consider:

• Who has been involved in your will discussions?
• Is your will current, signed, and dated?
• Have you chosen an executor and notified others with their roles?
• Have you documented your end-of-life wishes?
• Have you outlined how to distribute your belongings?
• Have you listed the care of dependents or pets?
• How do you want family heirlooms, photos, and history handled?
• Have you set aside funds for your celebration of life or burial?
• Have you shared your financial situation with your executor or power of attorney?
• Do you have specific wishes for your celebration of life or burial, including cremation or burial, and a plot?
• Have you considered leaving letters, videos, or a memory book as a legacy?
• Have you planned your celebration of life details, such as location, music, and budget?
• How should the news of your passing be shared?
• Do you have thoughts for your obituary or memorial card?

Ensure that your decisions and choices are followed even after your death.

Name who is responsible and what is tasks you want completed after you pass.

For a list of items to consider and how and who can complete the tasks, check out the ‘After a Death Checklist’ created by the government of BC with more details in the resource kit.