Advance Care Planning and Advance Directive

Advance Care Planning (ACP)

ACP is a voluntary process of discussion and shared planning for future health care. It involves an individual, his/her family and health providers. ACP gives people the opportunity to develop and express their preferences for future care based on:

• Their values, beliefs, concerns, hopes and goals.
• The treatment and care options available.
• A better understanding of their current and likely future health.

An Advance Care Plan can be a written document or a verbal statement/s.

During the process of an ACP discussion a person may express specific wishes with regard to a treatment option that might be offered in the future. This could constitute an Advance Directive.