Canadian HR Reporter

www.hrreporter.com 25 ADVANCE CARE PLANNING: A KEY STEP IN LIFE PLANNING LIFE can be a complicated journey full of both ups — gradua- tions, new jobs, marriage, births, trips, retirement — and downs — financial setbacks, job losses, illnesses and deaths. To cope with both the good and the bad, most people do some form of planning for themselves and their fami- lies. They plan for tomorrow so they can live for today. A s the Life Planning Model illustrates, planning for tomorrow involves financial, estate and health- care planning. Compassionate companies can help employees with all aspects of life planning. And many already do. They provide access to life insurance and pensions so employees can plan for their financial future. Some offer information and education about financial planning and management, as well as will and estate planning. Employers can also help employees plan for their future health care. In fact, to be eligible to be a Canadian Compassionate Company, employers should promote Advance Care Planning. Why is Advance Care Planning important? Advance Care Planning is a lifelong process of thinking about what matters to you — your values, goals and prefer- ences — and the type of care you would like to receive throughout your adult life. It is also about talking to the people who matter most to you and your health-care providers about your wishes and appointing someone — a substitute decision-maker — who will speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a harsh reminder for Canadians that life can change at any moment — people can become severely ill and be unable to speak for themselves. During that time, critical decisions may have to be made about their care. Advance Care Planning can take some of the stress out of those moments: • People who plan ahead for their health care experience less distress and anxiety when faced with a health crisis and are more satisfied with the care they receive. They have a greater sense of independence and control over their health. • Family members are also calmer and more confident that they are making decisions that reflect the person's wishes. • Health-care professionals are also more confident that they are providing the kind of care that reflects the person's values. Five steps of Advance Care Planning Think: What's important to you? What do you want the people caring for you to know about your values and beliefs and the kind of care you want? Learn: Ask questions about your health and care. What are the benefits and risks of different ways to manage your health? Decide: If you are ever in a situation where you can't make your own health- care decisions, who would you like to have make them for you? Choose a substitute decision-maker who will understand your wishes and make the decisions that you would. Talk: Tell the people who matter most to you and your health-care providers what is important to you and the kind of care you want. Record: Record your wishes and share them with the people who matter most to you, your substitute decision-maker and your health-care providers. Advance Care Planning isn't a one- Employers can help close the gap between the number of Canadians who think Advance Care Planning is a good idea and the number who have plans. Companies can help start the conversation by: • talking to employees about the importance of Advance Care Planning — for themselves and for the people who matter most to them • reinforcing that Advance Care Planning — like financial planning and estate planning— is an important part of life planning • providing access to Advance Care Planning resources • inviting an expert to talk to staff about Advance Care Planning • hosting an Advance Care Planning seminar, lunch and learn or work- shop CHRR Learn more at advancecareplanning. ca. Becoming a Canadian Compassionate Company is a step toward engaged, productive employees who know they are working for a company that truly cares for them and their family through the challenges that can face any of us at any time. time event. People's wishes may change over time. For example, when people are in their 30s, the kind of care they want and the benefits and risks of treatments may be very different than when they are in their 80s. That's why people should revisit their Advance Care Planning — just the way they would review their will or financial plan if their finances or family situation changed. Many families report that having Advance Care Planning conversations improves communication and reduces conflict. It helps family, friends and health-care professionals work together to provide the care the person wants. What can employers do to promote Advance Care Planning? More than 90 per cent of Canadians believe that it's important to discuss their advance care planning with family and friends. Yet, only 17 per cent of Canadians — fewer than one in five — have advance care plans and more than 50 per cent have not done any Advance Care Planning, according to a 2019 survey of nearly 3,000 Canadians by Nanos Research. LIFE PLANNING MODEL • tax planning • gifting • will • letters of wishes • trusts • life insurance • business succession planning • appointed substitute decision-maker(s) for health care • medical orders and directions • long-term care options • palliative care options • cash and debt management • education savings • investment planning • retirement planning • risk management (life, disabil- ity, health, house, vehicles) • cohabitation or marriage • agreements • enduring power of attorney

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