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FAQs on ACP

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Have a Question on Advance Care Planning?

Here is a compilation of frequently asked questions ​about Advance Care Planning (ACP). ​

​
Advance Care Planning (ACP) is the process of planning for your current and future healthcare. ACP helps you to communicate to your loved ones and healthcare team about your values and how these values shape your healthcare preferences. In the event you are unable to make decisions or speak for yourself, your ACP guides your loved ones and healthcare team to make decisions in your best interest. ​

​Sometimes, we may encounter a medical crisis which impairs our own capacity to make decisions. In such cases, we may need our loved ones to participate in decisions related to our health and personal care.

Should this happen, ACP helps you to communicate your values and healthcare preferences to your loved ones, and your care team. ACP helps to avoid guilt, stress and conflicts among your loved ones, as your choices guide them towards making important care decisions for you.

​ACP is an important part of routine healthcare. Anyone can start their ACP today regardless of age and health condition. Discussing and documenting your healthcare preferences with your loved ones and doctors can give everyone a peace of mind.

ACP is particularly important for people who have chronic illnesses, early cognitive impairment, are frail, or approaching the end of life.

Life is unpredictable, and you will never know when you might need your ACP. ACP is a way to plan ahead with your loved ones and care teams. We recommend that everyone, regardless of health status, starts planning for your ACP today.

​Visit www.mylegacy.gov.sg for more information.

There are 3 different types of ACPs:

  • General ACP, for people who are generally healthy or have early-stage chronic diseases
  • Disease-specific ACP, for people who have progressive, life-limiting illnesses and are at risk of suffering multiple complications
  • Preferred Plan of Care ACP, for people who are approaching the end of their lives and are not expected to live beyond the next 12 months

If you're receiving medical care at a public healthcare institution, ask your care team to arrange an ACP session for you. The ACP facilitator will advise you accordingly, depending on your health status.

If you're not receiving treatment at any public healthcare institution, you can contact a community ACP facilitator at go.gov.sg/find-acp-fa​​cil. Some ACP facilitators also offer Tele-ACP services, which allows you to meet with them online via video conferencing. When you prepare your ACP on My Legacy, you're filling up the general ACP.

You can begin with these simple steps:

  1. Reflect on what you want. Think about what is important and meaningful to you, the quality of life you want, and the medical treatment you are comfortable with.
  2. Choose your Nominated Healthcare Spokesperson(s) (NHS). Think about the people in your life you trust to convey your care preferences.
  3. Prepare a draft ACP form online on My Legacy (go.gov.sg/mylegacy-lpa-acp).
  4. Make an appointment with an ACP facilitator (go.gov.sg/find-acp-facil) to discuss and submit your ACP to the National Electronic Healthcare Records (NEHR) system.

Visit www.mylegacy.gov.sg for more details on how to start your ACP journey.

ACP may be done at government hospitals, polyclinics and social services agencies in the community. If you're receiving medical care at a public healthcare institution, ask your care team to arrange an ACP session for you.

If you're not receiving treatment at any public healthcare institution, you can contact a community ACP facilitator.

​Visit go.gov.sg/find-acp-facil to find an ACP facilitator.

ACP is a conversation with the person or people who will represent you if you cannot speak for yourself. Your Nominated Healthcare Spokesperson speaks for you when you do not have capacity to decide for yourself or to communicate your wishes.

Your NHS would ideally be someone who:

  1. Knows you well. For example, a family member or a close friend.
  2. Is willing to speak up for your goals and values on your behalf.
  3. Can be trusted to act in your best interest and tell your doctors about the care you wish to receive when you lose mental capacity.
  4. Be someone who can handle stressful situations well.
  5. Is at least 21 years old, so that they can help make important decisions should the need arises.

You may nominate up to two NHS. Both NHS should be aligned and in agreement about what your preferences are.

You must meet with a certified ACP facilitator to submit your ACP to the National Electronic Healthcare Records (NEHR), but this can be done in person or virtually via video conferencing.

Make an appointment with a certified ACP facilitator on My Legacy to discuss and submit your ACP to the National Electronic Healthcare Records (NEHR). This allows your healthcare team to easily access and refer to your ACP.

You can choose an ACP facilitator that offers Tele-ACP services. With Tele-ACP, you can meet with the facilitator virtually via video conferencing. ​

The objective of an ACP is to help you have a say in your healthcare if you no longer have mental capacity. As long as you have mental capacity, you will be consulted on your preferences. ​

Your Advance Care Plan is a reflection of your personal perspectives and preferences towards life. As your life changes, so may your life goals and decisions. You may continue to make changes to your ACP as long as you have mental capacity.

Your most updated ACP will replace the previous version(s). Read over your ACP every few years to make sure that it is still current.

In addition, it is a good idea to review your ACP after the following events:

  • Every new decade of your life
  • At every significant life stage or milestone (for example, when starting a family or when you acquire additional assets)
  • After a significant medical diagnosis
  • After a significant change in your daily functioning (activities of daily living)

You are also encouraged to share any changes with your loved ones and healthcare team whenever an updated version is documented so that they will be up-to-date with your new ACP.

Contact your ACP facilitator to update your Advance Care Plan.

No, your doctors are bounded by medical ethics and the law to make sure that your best interests are protected.

​Doing your ACP gives you a chance to make plans ahead, and helps the doctors to treat you in your best interests.

No, you do not need a lawyer to do your ACP.​
​

AIC has worked with a few organisations to provide ACP at no cost, but there are some organisations who may charge a nominal fee for doing an ACP. Please check with the individual organisations on the cost.

You may visit go.gov.sg/find-acp-facil for a list of ACP facilitators.

In the situation where there is no one suitable to be your spokesperson, you can also consider nominating a Professional Donee to represent your wishes for your ACP. You may find the full list of Professional Donees.​

ACP facilitators are employees under healthcare or social care organisations.

All ACP facilitators are certified by AIC. Please contact acp@aic.sg​ if you are a professional who is interested in becoming an ACP facilitator.

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Start Your ​​​​​​​​​ACP Journey​​

Find an ACP facilita​tor near you using MyLegacy's​ Directory here.

​​​ACP Directory​​​​​
​​​

Learn More

Click on the following pages to get more details on Advance Care Planning.

All About ACP
Advance Care Planning (ACP) is the process of planning for future health and personal care. It includes discussing one’s personal beliefs and goals for care with their loved ones and healthcare providers.

Simple Steps For ACP
Advance Care Planning begins with your loved ones having an open conversation with you about their wishes and goals for care.

Other Ways To Plan Ahead
Apart from Advance Care Planning (ACP), there are other tools that can aid you and your loved ones in planning ahead should you lose mental capacity.

FAQs on ACP
Here is a compilation of frequently asked questions ​about Advance Care Planning (ACP). ​

ACP Resources
Access our compilation of materials and an online booklet on Advance Care Planning here.

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