Advance care planning is how you discuss, plan and document your wishes for the health care you want to receive now and in the future.

It is never too early to begin the process, and so long as you are able to speak for yourself, it is never too late.

Compassionate Alberta provides Albertans with helpful information to assist with their future health planning. Visit their webpage to learn more about the 5 steps to start advance care planning and these key documents:

• Personal Directives
• Goals of Care Designation Order
• Green Sleeve and Tracking Record

Move ahead to part 4 to watch a conversation with a lawyer about Personal Directives.

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My Wishes Alberta Workbook

This workbook guides you to think through what is most important to you about your life, health and personal care and to share this information with the people who matter most to you, as well as with your health care providers.

Completing this workbook will help prepare you and others to make important decisions about your care now and in the future. It does not replace formal advance care planning documents such as a personal directives or Goals of Care Designation Order.

Click the link below to access print and electronic copies of the workbook. You can print and complete the workbook by hand or you can complete it electronically. Be sure to save the file on your computer to save your work.

Compassionate Care Alberta

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Supported Decision-Making

Supported decision-making is an authorization process that enables someone to help a capable adult make personal decisions.

Even if an adult can make their own decisions, there may be times when they need help making personal decisions.

Supported decision-making allows for adults who still have capacity (the supported adult) to select up to three individuals (supporters) to help them make personal decisions – but not financial decisions.

This authorization could help a capable adult when they:

• Are facing difficult decisions and would like help in the decision-making process.
• Are having difficulties communicating in English.
• Have other communications difficulties.
• Have mild disabilities.
• Need help for a short time due to a temporary condition.

A supporter has legal authority to:

• Access the adult's personal information needed to make a decision
• Help them communicate that decision

If you believe you would benefit from supported decision-making authorization, visit the Government of Alberta website for next steps and to access the authorization form.

A supported decision-making authorization form is not registered anywhere, so the supported adult and the supporter should each have a copy.

Source: Compassionate Alberta

There are two other key roles you’ll often hear about. These will be defined as you move through the parts in this session:

• Enduring Power of Attorney
• Agent (Personal Directive)