What is Advance Care Planning (ACP)?
ACP is an ongoing process of planning and preparing for your future health and personal care. It includes conversations about your:
- personal beliefs
- values
- healthcare preferences
These will be shared with your loved ones and healthcare team.
Having a quality ACP ensures that this process is person-centred, informed and guided. In the event that you lose the capacity to make decisions or speak for yourself, the ACP will help your loved ones and healthcare team act in your best interests based on your prior expressed wishes.
Why should I do ACP?
Having a quality ACP is beneficial for:
- yourself
- your loved ones
- caregivers
- healthcare teams who care for you
ACP takes a compassionate approach that honours each individual as a whole person. It helps to:
- enhance quality of life—by aligning with your personal values, fosters dignity and well-being.
- strengthen trust—by building stronger relationships between yourself, your loved ones, and healthcare providers.
- increase individual and family satisfaction—by reducing stress, helping you and your loved ones prepare for future decisions, and for your wishes to be respected.
Who can do ACP?
ACP is for anyone 21 years old* and above who has the capacity to make their own decisions.
This includes people who are:
- healthy
- living with a health condition
No matter who you are, you’re likely to have values and preferences for how you want to be treated. It’s important to think about these preferences and start planning for it early.
ACP is particularly important for people who are living with a health condition. You can consult your regular doctor, especially if you have chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease) or any other medical concerns.
*For individuals below 21 years old and living with a health condition, please approach your healthcare team if you are interested to find out more about ACP.
Start Your ACP Journey
Find an ACP facilitator using the ACP Directory below.
Learn More
Click on the following pages for more details on ACP.
All About ACP
Learn more about what ACP entails, why ACP is important and who can do ACP.
Simple Steps For ACP
Find out more on how to prepare for your ACP.
ACP Resources
Access our compilation of materials and an online booklet on ACP here.
Other Ways To Plan Ahead
Apart from ACP, there are other tools that can aid you and your loved ones in planning ahead should you lose mental capacity.
