Just Ask: Why Is Having A Green Sleeve Important?
Hayley Toth | Sunshine Coast Resource Centre
Medical emergencies and accidents can happen to anyone, at any age, at any time—and the winter months can make certain risks even higher. Winter isn’t just “cold season”—it’s a high-risk period. Certain emergencies increase during the winter months, including heart attacks, falls and fractures, and respiratory emergencies. Being prepared for the unexpected is important for everyone—not just those who are facing health issues or older but also for healthy adults, caregivers, and anyone who wants to make sure their wishes are known and respected. Advance Care Planning helps ensure that if your health declines or you are injured and unable to speak for yourself, your choices will be understood and honoured.
Advance Care Planning (ACP) is more than just paperwork—it’s a thoughtful process of planning ahead for future health and personal care decisions. This includes identifying who you would want to make decisions on your behalf, documenting those choices, and having open conversations with your family and healthcare providers. For people living with ongoing health conditions, ACP can also involve discussing potential medical decisions with your doctor so you can make informed choices about your care in advance.
This is where the Sunshine Coast Green Sleeve Advance Care Planning Program can help. This program helps to make ACP easier. The Green Sleeve acts as your “healthcare passport.” It provides emergency responders, such as paramedics, and healthcare providers with quick access to important medical information, including medications, allergies and existing conditions. Having this information readily available can save valuable time and, in some cases, save a life.
Green Sleeves hold important information about you, including your healthcare wishes, who can make decisions for you, and notes from conversations you’ve had with healthcare providers. Keeping your Green Sleeve in a visible place at home—such as on or near the fridge—helps emergency responders find it quickly if something happens. If you’re unable to speak for yourself, your Green Sleeve helps make sure your wishes are known, giving peace of mind to you and your loved ones.
Residents of the Sunshine Coast can pick up a free Green Sleeve in their local community:
Sechelt: Sunshine Coast Resource Centre, Primary Care Network, Cowrie Medical Clinic, Arbutus Medical Clinic
Wilson Creek: Upstream Family Medical Centre
Davis Bay: Sunshine Coast Hospice House
Gibsons: London Drugs, Coast Specialists’ Clinic, Gibsons Medical Clinic
Pender Harbour: Pender Harbour & District Health Clinic
After picking up your Green Sleeve, you’re encouraged to register your number online at coasthospice.com so you can access personal support along the way. Trained Coast Hospice volunteers are available to provide free, one-on-one help with developing your advance care plan and completing your Green Sleeve. If you need help registering, want to book a session, or have questions, email acp@coasthospice.com or call 604-740-0475 Coast Hospice also hosts workshops and information sessions throughout the year.
Coffee and Conversation is held weekly at the Sunshine Coast Resource Centre (5674 Cowrie Street), on Mondays (9:30–10:30 am) and Tuesdays (11:30 am–1:00 pm) and often features rotating resource sessions with informal Q&A. On Tuesday, February 3 (11:45am-12:45pm), a Green Sleeve Information Session will be offered. These are free, drop-in sessions with no registration required. To learn about upcoming Coffee and Conversation sessions, visit resourcecentre.ca/program/community-connector/ or call 604-885-4088. The Resource Centre’s Seniors Support Coordinators will also be joined by the Hospice Green Sleeve Information Team and Community Paramedic at Harmony Hall in Gibsons on Thursday, February 19th, from 1–3 pm.
Advance care planning can feel overwhelming, but taking the time to plan ahead gives clarity, reassurance, and support for both you and your family. A Green Sleeve is a simple, practical tool that helps ensure your wishes are understood and respected, giving you and your loved ones peace of mind. Advance care planning is for everyone. If you or a loved one haven’t started yet, now is the time to begin. For more information, visit coasthospice.com/acp.