Advance Care Planning Resources
Advance care planning, also referred to as medical planning, is the process of taking time to think about what matters most to you in your life and your medical care, both now and in the future. It means naming a trusted person to make medical decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself, reflecting on your wishes and values, talking with the people close to you, and putting your wishes in writing. Sharing this information with family, friends, and medical providers is the best way to make sure you have a voice in your healthcare when it matters most.
How to Use the Resources
These resources are designed to help community partners, clinicians, care navigators, and other trusted messengers introduce advance care planning to the people and communities they serve. The resources below are organized by community. Many of the general resources are available in multiple languages and are appropriate for any audience. The community-specific sections highlight tools that are culturally tailored or have been developed or validated for use in specific communities.
General Resources
These resources are appropriate for any audience and are available in English, Spanish, and other languages where noted.
01
PREPARE for Your Care
One of the most widely used and rigorously researched advance care planning programs available. PREPARE guides people step by step through thinking about their wishes, choosing a medical decision maker, and preparing for conversations with family and care providers. Available in English and Spanish. Free.
02
PREPARE for Their Care
A step-by-step program designed for the person who may need to speak for someone else and make medical decisions on their behalf. PREPARE for Their Care helps caregivers understand their role, prepare for difficult conversations, and support their loved one in getting the care that reflects what matters most to them. Available in English. Free.
03
PREPARE Advance Directive
An easy-to-use advance directive developed by the PREPARE team that helps people put their wishes in writing. Available in multiple languages. Free.
04
The Conversation Project
A suite of free guides to help people through every step of the advance care planning process, from choosing a health care proxy to reflecting on what matters most to starting conversations with family, friends, and others about future care. Available in multiple languages. Free.
05
Go Wish and Hello
Two card and conversation games that help people clarify their values, priorities, and preferences for care in a relaxed, accessible way. Both are well suited for community workshops and group settings.
Go Wish uses a card-based activity to help people think through what matters most to them. Available in English and Spanish. Purchase required.
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Hello uses open-ended questions to spark meaningful, non-threatening conversation about values and end-of-life preferences with family and friends. Available in English. Purchase required.
06
Five Wishes
An advance directive that goes beyond medical wishes to include personal, emotional, and spiritual preferences, all in one document. Available in multiple languages. Purchase required.
Resources for African American Communities
These resources have been developed by or validated for use in African American communities.
01
AC Care Alliance Advance Care Planning Toolkit
Developed specifically for faith-based African American communities, this toolkit includes tools for individuals, congregation and faith leaders, community organizations, and clinicians. At its center is the ACCA Care Planning Workbook, developed with input from ACCA leadership, care navigators, and pastors. The workbook guides participants through three steps, Think, Plan, and Do, helping them reflect on what matters most, document their wishes, and have conversations with family and care providers. Free. The workbook is available by request.
02
Hello
Hello has been studied and found effective in African American communities as a community-based tool for starting conversations about advance care planning. Research found that after playing Hello, 98% of African American participants engaged in some form of advance care planning. A useful resource for community organizations and faith communities looking for a low-barrier, engaging way to begin the conversation. Purchase required.
03
This Is Your Show
A short video that encourages people to think about their wishes and talk with the people they love about future care. Well suited for use in presentations and community workshops.
Produced by [DESIGNER: confirm producer]. Free.
04
Palliative Care: Myths and Facts
Palliative care leaders, including care navigators, a pastor, and a physician describe what palliative care is, clear up common misconceptions, and explain how to access it. A valuable resource for community educators introducing both palliative care and advance care planning.
Produced by the AC Care Alliance and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. Free.
Resources for Chinese Communities
These resources are available in Chinese or have been developed for use with Chinese communities.
01
Live Well, Leave Well Through Advance Care Planning
A video introducing advance care planning and its importance, produced in Cantonese with English subtitles by the Jockey Club End-of-Life Community Care Project in Hong Kong. Well suited for community presentations and workshops with Cantonese-speaking older adults. Free.
02
Heart to Heart
A Chinese-language card set developed by the Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care that helps people and families talk about their wishes, values, and care preferences. A trusted tool for community workshops with Chinese older adults. Purchase required.
03
The Conversation Project
The Conversation Project guides are available in Chinese and cover choosing a health care proxy, reflecting on what matters most, and starting conversations with family and friends. Free.
Resources for Latino/a Communities
These resources are available in Spanish or have been developed for use with Latino/a communities.
01
PREPARE Together
Our program trains trusted staff within community-based organizations to lead advance care planning education in Latino communities, using a curriculum based on PREPARE methodology that has been culturally and linguistically tailored for the Latino/a population. If you are interested in learning more or bringing this program to your organization, please get in touch.
02
PREPARE for Your Care
Available in Spanish, PREPARE guides people step by step through thinking about their wishes, choosing a medical decision maker, and preparing for conversations with family and care providers. Free.
03
The Conversation Project
The Conversation Project guides are available in Spanish and cover choosing a health care proxy, reflecting on what matters most, and starting conversations with family and friends. Free.