ACP in Canada Launches Essential National Long-Term Care Toolkit

OTTAWA, ON, June 16, 2021 – Advance Care Planning (ACP) in Canada has released Essential Conversations: A Guide to Advance Care Planning in Long-Term Care Settings. This comprehensive toolkit offers a roadmap for those involved in planning for and providing long-term care, to understand and implement ACP best practices and palliative approaches in long-term care.Ideally, residents of long-term care homes have already engaged in Advance Care Planning – a process of reflection and communication about their future health and personal care wishes. Unfortunately that is not always the case.“In these challenging times, this toolkit is a must-have for professionals in the long-term care sector”, says Karine Diedrich, Director, Advance Care Planning in Canada. “Integrating Advance Care Planning conversations can significantly improve both quality of life and quality of care for residents.”

Sharon Kassalainen, SPA LTC co-lead and Professor and Gladys Sharpe Chair in Nursing, McMaster University, says “When long-term care homes take a coordinated approach to ACP, it improves communications between staff, residents and families, as well as the care and support of seriously ill or frail elderly residents and their caregivers.”

Essential Conversations: A Guide to Advance Care Planning in Long-Term Care Settings is available as a free download here.

For more information on the ACP project and other resources, visit advancecareplanning.ca

The national Advance Care Planning (ACP) in Canada initiative is led by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) with a financial contribution from Health Canada. The initiative aims to help people living in Canada prepare for their future and personal health care. The project involves a series of public awareness campaigns, supports community-based ACP programs, and promotes ACP resources and guides.

For more information:
Michael Powell
Communications Officer
1-800-668-2785 Ext 235
[email protected]