Imagine – one day, without warning, you find yourself in a hospital, unable to communicate. Who would speak for you and make health care decisions for you?
About six in 10 Canadians believe that it’s extremely important to talk to someone about their end-of-life care preferences — but a new Harris/Decima poll indicates that only 45 per cent have done so.
The poll also provides some interesting reasons why Canadians are dragging their heels on this important issue.
”It appears that while Canadians seem to know that it’s important to talk about end-of-life preferences when they are healthy, they are also quick to find excuses for not doing it,” says Louise Hanvey, the Project Manager for the Advance Care Planning in Canada Project.
Thirty-nine per cent are ‘creeped out’ by the conversation. Being afraid of death was one of the strongest reasons for Canadians to avoid having the discussion, the poll revealed.
Other reasons include not wanting to upset family members or being ‘creeped out’ by the conversation.
Advance Care Planning, a process of communicating your wishes for end-of-life care and naming a Substitute Decision Maker to speak for you if you are unable to do so, offers a way to start the conversation.
The Advance Care Planning in Canada Project provides a number of tools and resources through its Speak Up campaign, including workbooks, videos and wallet cards.
The Harris/Decima poll reports that Canadians who do have an advance care plan are more engaged in the health care system — 90 per cent of them have a family physician or regular place of care.
Earlier research indicates that patients who have end-of-life conversations are much more likely to be satisfied with their care, will require fewer aggressive interventions at the end of life and place less of a strain on caregivers.
Data collected in the poll suggests that Canadians overwhelmingly want their health care provider to give them information about advance care planning — and yet earlier studies have revealed many barriers to these conversations.
The Speak Up campaign has developed a toolkit to help health care providers initiate the conversation with patients and families, including a “Just Ask” cue card to facilitate discussions.
Ms. Hanvey notes that health professionals could do a better job asking about patient wishes for care, but emphasizes that individuals should also consider taking control of their own future.
“It’s clear that Canadians understand that it’s important to have these conversations,” she says. “It’s time to stop making excuses and start talking. Speak up and make your voice heard.”
National Advance Care Planning Day is April 16, what will you do?
For more information, go to: http://www.advancecareplanning.ca, or phone 613-241-3663 ext. 231, or mail: Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, Annex D, Saint-Vincent Hospital, 60 Cambridge Street Annex D, Ottawa, ON, K1R 7A5.
