Have you ever thought about what you want the last years, months or weeks of your life to look like? What if you or a loved one is diagnosed with an unexpected illness, or you are injured in some way - what do you hope your care will be? Where will you be? Who will be taking care of you? Who would you want making decisions for you about your health, your care and even your life if you were not able to do so for yourself?

With the health care system in crisis across Canada, asking these questions and planning are more important than ever. This is an important part of the work the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association does, helping to prepare for the future of healthcare in Canada. It provides education, raises awareness and influences public policy to ensure that we and our loved ones prepare and get the care we all want and deserve when we need it the most. 

In this vital episode, CHPCA CEO Laurel Gillespie shares her own journey facing a life-changing illness and having to plan end-of-life care and she shares what she's learned to now help others do the same. 

Check out the new Advance Care Planning Guide at www.chpca.ca or www.advancecareplanning.ca 

Episode supported by: CHPCA (Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association) 

Find Melissa Grelo on Instagram @MelissaGrelo and @AgingPowerfullyWithMG, or on her website AgingPowerfullyWithMelissaGrelo.com. Find clips of the show on YouTube @MelissaGrelo. 

Producer: Melissa Grelo. 

Audio/Video Producer and Editor: Drew Garner.