If you’re reading this page, you may be absorbing a serious diagnosis and thinking about what comes next. Learning about end-of-life planning is an important step. Here, you’ll find practical guidance and questions you might ask yourself or discuss with someone you trust.
Know your local options
Canada’s health care system offers different types of end-of-life care, which vary by region. And while many options are fully covered by provincial and territorial health systems, some require you to pay out-of-pocket. Speaking with your health care team is the best way to find out what’s available and whether it fits your needs and budget.
Consider your values
How you respond to a serious diagnosis or change in your health is deeply personal. It’s a good time to think about what matters most to you at this point in your life, including how medical treatments might affect your quality of life, and whether they’re likely to extend it. Some people want to try several medical treatments, and others may want to limit interventions.
As you think about your priorities during this time, consider:
- What would quality of life look like for you now?
- Which aspects of your care are most important to you?
Use the Values Reflection Tool to explore these questions more and clarify your priorities.
Where you receive care
Many people have preferences about where they would like to receive care as their condition progresses, whether at home or in a hospital, long-term care home, or hospice. Thinking about these factors early on can help you make informed decisions as your needs change over time.
For people who are considering medical assistance in dying (MAID), it is important to understand how that can affect where you might wish to receive care.
At home
Some people prefer to be at home, in familiar surroundings. This may mean you require support from nurses, personal support workers, palliative care teams and family members.
Questions to ask
- What home care services are available in my community?
- What level of caregiving support will be required?
- What equipment or medical supplies will be required?
- How will medications be delivered and managed?
- If someone chooses MAID, how is care coordinated at home?
- What support is available for family members and caregivers?
In hospital
For some people, a hospital may be the most appropriate place for care, especially if their medical needs are complex, or if support or space at home is limited. Hospitals provide access to specialized medical teams, equipment, and around-the-clock care. The services and supports available can vary from one hospital to another.
Many hospital care teams encourage patients at the end of life to bring familiar items that personalize the space, such as photographs, blankets, or music.
Questions to ask
- When is hospital care recommended for my condition?
- What palliative care services are available?
- Is MAID allowed on site? If not, how is care coordinated if a person chooses that option?
- How can loved ones be involved in my care?
In long-term care
Long-term residential care homes provide round-the-clock support for people who can no longer live independently. These settings combine medical care with assistance for daily living, including eating, bathing, and getting around.
The focus is on safety, comfort and ongoing support. Care teams may include physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses, as well as personal support workers, social workers, and recreation staff. Some homes offer specialized care for people living with complex conditions like dementia.
Access varies by region and waiting lists for admission can be significant. It can help to learn about your options early and understand how placement processes work. The services available and the admission processes may vary from one care home to another.
Questions to ask
- What long-term care homes are in my area?
- What treatment options do these homes provide?
- What palliative care options are available?
- Is MAID allowed on site? If not, how is care coordinated if a person chooses that option?
- What is the process and timeline for admission?
In a hospice
Hospices provide end-of-life care in a setting designed to feel more home-like than a hospital. The focus is on comfort, dignity, and quality of life. Hospice teams typically include nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, personal support workers, and counsellors who support both patients and their families.
Hospice care is not available in every community, and spaces may be limited. It can help to learn about options early and get on wait lists if necessary.
Questions to ask
- Is hospice care available in my community?
- Am I eligible for hospice care?
- Are there wait lists for admission?
- Is MAID allowed on site? If not, how is care coordinated if a person chooses that option?
- What supports does the hospice provide to patients and family members?
Essential planning tasks for end of life
These practical steps can help ensure your wishes are understood and respected. They can also make things easier for the people who may be supporting you or managing your affairs in the future.
Organize your affairs
Review your financial and legal arrangements, like your will and Powers of Attorney, so that important decisions are communicated accurately to the people who will manage them in the future. Learn more about key financial planning tasks.
Manage your online accounts
Most people have dozens of digital accounts. Planning your digital legacy can help ensure that accounts are closed, preserved or transferred according to your wishes.
Talk to the people you care about
Sharing your wishes can help family members, friends, or other trusted people understand what matters most to you. Learn about handling conversations about end-of-life choices .
Share your wishes for an end-of-life ceremony
Some people choose to share instructions for how they would like to be remembered, such as preferences for music or readings. Learn more about planning end-of-life ceremonies.
Comfort, meaning, and choice
As you think about the end of your life, consider what will bring you comfort and meaning. This may include who you want to be with, and how you’d like to spend your time. Explore ideas and questions to help you reflect on what matters most.
Check in with yourself
End-of-life planning can often bring up painful or complex emotions. Learn more about emotional experiences that are common in end-of-life planning.
Practical End-of-Life Tasks
Learn about the end-of-life care options available in your community.
Reflect on what quality of life and care priorities matter most to you.
Talk with your health care provider about realistic care options for your condition.
Consider where you would prefer to receive care: at home, in hospital, or in hospice.
Review important financial matters and plans for managing digital accounts.
Share your wishes and priorities with family members or other trusted people.
Consider your preferences for a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life.
Think about what would bring comfort, meaning, or connection in your final days.