Advance Care Planning: A Gift of Clarity for Your Loved Ones
What is Advance Care Planning (ACP)?
Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a voluntary process that helps you reflect on, discuss, and document your values, beliefs, and preferences for future medical care. It ensures that your loved ones and healthcare team are guided by what matters most to you, especially in situations where you may not be able to speak for yourself.
Why is ACP Important?
Many of us avoid thinking about illness, emergencies, or end-of-life care. However, planning ahead can ease the emotional and decision-making burden on your family during difficult times. ACP empowers you to retain control over your healthcare choices, promotes shared understanding among loved ones, and enhances the quality of care you receive in line with your values.
Who Should Do ACP?
ACP is for everyone—young or old, healthy or living with a medical condition. Life is unpredictable, and preferences may change over time. That’s why ACP is a flexible, ongoing conversation that you can revisit and revise as needed.
Key Steps in Advance Care Planning
Reflect on what gives your life meaning—your personal values, fears, goals, and what you consider an acceptable quality of life.
Discuss your thoughts with family, close friends, and your healthcare providers.
Appoint a trusted person as your Nominated Healthcare Spokesperson (NHS)—someone who will speak for you if you're unable to make decisions.
Document your preferences formally using the ACP form, which becomes part of your medical records.
Types of ACP
Basic ACP: For individuals in good health. It focuses on general care preferences and selecting a spokesperson.
Intermediate ACP: For people with stable chronic illnesses or early stages of serious illness, with more specific discussions around care goals.
Advanced ACP: For individuals with advanced or life-limiting illnesses. It includes detailed decisions such as preferences around life-sustaining treatments like CPR, ventilation, and feeding tubes.
Current Scenario of ACP in Singapore
In Singapore, Advance Care Planning is supported by the Ministry of Health and various healthcare institutions under the ACP Programme Office. The initiative is part of a national movement to encourage open conversations about future healthcare. Public awareness has grown steadily, and more Singaporeans are engaging in ACP discussions with trained facilitators in hospitals, polyclinics, and community settings. The ACP documentation is integrated into the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR), making it accessible to healthcare professionals when needed.
How to Start
Download the ACP Workbook from My Legacy, a government portal that provides tools and information to guide you.
Speak to your doctor or care team to initiate the conversation.
Schedule an ACP session with trained facilitators available at many healthcare institutions.
Starting now means peace of mind later—for both you and your loved ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
ACP is not a legal document like an Advance Medical Directive (AMD), but it is taken seriously in medical decision-making and is part of your medical record.
-
Yes. ACP is a living document. You can review and update your preferences at any time, especially after major life or health changes.
-
Having conversations early helps reduce misunderstandings. Your ACP document guides healthcare teams to prioritise your stated wishes.
-
Pick someone you trust to honour your values and who is comfortable discussing sensitive healthcare decisions.
-
No. ACP complements but does not replace legal documents. For broader decisions including financial or legal matters, you should also consider making an LPA.
Take the First Step Today
Start the conversation that gives peace of mind—for you and the people who care about you.
Advance Care Planning is not about giving up; it’s about ensuring your voice is heard.