Advance care planning refers to the process of planning for your
future care and focuses on a time when you may not be able to make
certain decisions for yourself—either temporarily or
permanently. It usually involves documenting your wishes with
respect to personal care matters, and discussing those wishes with
your substitute decision maker (SDM). Your wishes may be expressed
in your power of attorney for personal care or in a letter to your
SDM. The document containing your wishes is sometimes referred to
as a "living will". You may also express your wishes
orally.
When you are no longer capable of making personal care
decisions, your wishes guide your SDM in making decisions on your
behalf. They may be specific or general, often depending on your
circumstances and preferences. If you do not make your wishes
known, your SDM must act based on what he or she perceives to be
your best interests.
