ACP for Children and Teenagers

In Ontario, there is no age of consent. As long as a person is able to understand and appreciate the situation and the potential treatments (i.e. they are capable), then that person can make their own healthcare decisions, regardless of their age.

Even when a child or teenager is not capable, they should be included in the discussions about their healthcare as much as possible. Advance Care Planning in this population involves preparing the child or teenager, as well as their substitute decision-makers (in most cases the parents) for future decision-making. 

A family centred approach is taken to help everyone understand the child or teenager’s illness and what might be expected to occur in the future

Jacob and anaya

Jacob is nine years old. He was born with a severe brain injury. It affects his ability to move, talk, think and swallow. He uses a wheelchair to get around and needs a feeding tube for nourishment.

Jacob lives at home with his parents and sister.

Jacobs parents are his substitute decision makers (SDMs). ACP can help them learn more about Jacob's illness so they can prepare for the future.

This will include thinking about:

  • what kind of care needs Jacob will have in the future
  • if his brain injury is expected to stay the same or get worse

Anaya is 15 years old. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) when she was 10 years old.

When she was younger, her parents made all of her healthcare decisions. But now Anaya is starting to learn and understand about her own illness.

For decisions where Anaya is not capable, her parents will continue to make healthcare decisions. But Anaya should be involved as much as she can be.

ACP for Anaya and her parents will include a discussion of what to expect in the future. Even if Anaya is not capable, her wishes, thoughts and feelings are an important part of ACP conversations.

 

 

Advance Care Planning is a way to prepare for the future

  • Preparing for the future doesn't have to happen all at once.
  • It is often a series of conversations that allows you to gather information over time.
  • Starting this process early empowers you to approach situations with knowledge, put advanced thought into the process and be able to make informed decisions.
  • This way you are not staring the planning process in a moment of stress or crisis.
  • Some individuals and families prefer planning in advance while others prefer waiting until a decision is needed.
  • This page contains some of the information about how you may plan for the future.
  • Speak with your healthcare provider for more information.

 

 

The 5 steps of Advance Care Planning for children and teenagers

 

 

Thinking about what's important

Thinking about the future is important...

 

 

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