Advance Care Planning (ACP) is not a one-time decision. Your healthcare preferences may change as your health, family circumstances, or personal values evolve. Regularly reviewing your ACP, especially after significant life events or medical changes, helps ensure it continues to reflect your wishes and provides clear guidance for your loved ones and healthcare team.
Completing an Advance Care Planning (ACP) document is an important step in expressing your healthcare preferences, but it should not be viewed as something you do once and never revisit. Life rarely stands still. Changes in your health, family relationships, or personal priorities can influence how you would like future healthcare decisions to be made.
At SATA CommHealth, we encourage people to see Advance Care Planning as an ongoing conversation that grows with them. Reviewing your plan from time to time helps ensure it continues to reflect your wishes, and gives your loved ones and healthcare team greater confidence if they are ever asked to make decisions on your behalf.
Key Takeaways
- Advance Care Planning (ACP) should be reviewed periodically to ensure it continues to reflect your healthcare preferences and personal values.
- Significant life events, changes in health, or family circumstances may be good opportunities to update your ACP earlier than planned.
- Reviewing your ACP also gives you the chance to confirm that your Nominated Healthcare Spokesperson (NHS) still understands and is willing to support your wishes.
- Keeping your ACP current can reduce uncertainty for your loved ones and healthcare professionals during difficult situations.
- Advance Care Planning (ACP) is most effective when it remains an ongoing conversation that evolves alongside your life and healthcare needs.
Why Advance Care Planning (ACP) Should Be Reviewed
Advance Care Planning (ACP) allows you to communicate the type of medical care you would prefer if you become unable to make decisions for yourself in the future. Unlike a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or Advance Medical Directive (AMD), which are legal documents, an ACP is a voluntary process that provides your healthcare team and loved ones with valuable guidance when you may no longer be able to express your wishes. Many individuals choose to complete their ACP alongside an LPA for a more comprehensive plan.
More people in Singapore are recognising the value of planning ahead. According to the Ministry of Health, over 77,000 Advance Care Plans had been completed nationally as of July 2025, a 40 per cent increase from the 55,000 completed between 2011 and prior years. This growth reflects rising awareness of the importance of discussing and documenting future healthcare preferences.
Completing an ACP, however, is only the beginning. As life changes, it is worth checking that your plan still reflects your wishes.
A review may be appropriate if you have experienced changes such as:
- A new medical diagnosis or a significant change in your health.
- Different priorities regarding quality of life or treatment preferences.
- Changes in your family relationships or caregiving arrangements.
- A new healthcare provider or treatment plan.
- Personal values or beliefs that have evolved over time.
Reviewing your ACP gives you the opportunity to confirm that it continues to represent what matters most to you. Even if you decide that no updates are needed, revisiting your plan can provide reassurance that your healthcare preferences remain current and your loved ones have clear guidance if they are ever asked to make decisions on your behalf.
How Often Should You Review Your Advance Care Plan?
As a general guide, most healthcare professionals in Singapore suggest reviewing your Advance Care Plan every three to five years, or sooner if a significant change occurs in your health, family situation, or personal values. Rather than following a fixed schedule, the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) describes ACP as an ongoing process that should be revisited whenever your circumstances shift meaningfully.
You should also consider reviewing your ACP if you experience:
- A significant medical diagnosis.
- A major change in your health or daily functioning.
- A new life stage or milestone, such as getting married or starting a family.
- Changes in your healthcare preferences or personal values.
Even if none of these situations apply, it is still worth revisiting your ACP from time to time. Just as you might review your insurance policies or financial plans, checking your Advance Care Plan periodically helps ensure it continues to reflect your current wishes.
A review can also help you:
- Confirm that your healthcare preferences remain the same.
- Check that your nominated healthcare spokesperson is still the right person to represent your decisions.
- Ensure your loved ones remain aware of your wishes.
- Update any personal information that may have changed.
- Raise any new questions with your healthcare providers.
Reviewing your ACP does not mean you expect something to happen. It simply ensures that, if your healthcare team or loved ones ever need to rely on your plan, it accurately reflects the decisions you would make today.
Life Events That May Require an Earlier Update
While periodic reviews are beneficial, some situations deserve a more immediate discussion. If your circumstances have changed significantly, your existing ACP may no longer represent your current wishes.
A New Medical Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with a serious illness or chronic condition often changes how people think about future healthcare decisions.
You may have new questions about treatment options, quality of life, or the level of medical intervention you would prefer. Reviewing your ACP after receiving a diagnosis allows your healthcare preferences to reflect this new stage of your life.
A Significant Improvement or Decline in Health
Health does not always move in one direction.
Some people recover well after major surgery or rehabilitation, while others experience gradual changes that affect their daily lives. Improvements or declines in your health may influence your priorities, making it worthwhile to revisit your Advance Care Planning (ACP).
Changes in Your Family Situation
Family relationships can also affect your care preferences.
Events such as marriage, divorce, becoming widowed, welcoming a new child or grandchild, or changes in caregiving responsibilities may prompt you to reconsider who should speak on your behalf or how healthcare decisions should be communicated.
These conversations can also help ensure your loved ones understand your wishes before they are ever asked to make difficult decisions.
More Situations That May Prompt an ACP Review
Not every reason for reviewing an Advance Care Plan is related to your health. Changes in the people around you or your personal outlook can also influence the decisions you would like others to make on your behalf.
Your Appointed Spokesperson Is No Longer Able to Act
One of the most important parts of Advance Care Planning (ACP) is identifying the person who understands your healthcare preferences and is prepared to communicate them if necessary.
Over time, circumstances can change. Your nominated spokesperson may move overseas, develop health issues of their own, or simply feel unable to take on the responsibility. In some cases, relationships also evolve, making another family member or trusted friend a more appropriate choice.
Reviewing your ACP allows you to confirm that the right person is still listed and that they remain comfortable carrying out your wishes if the situation arises.
Your Personal Priorities Have Changed
Life experiences often shape how people think about medical care.
Caring for an ageing parent, recovering from a serious illness, or witnessing a loved one’s healthcare journey may lead you to reflect differently on treatments, quality of life, and the type of care you would prefer.
There is nothing unusual about changing your mind. An ACP should reflect your current values rather than decisions you made years earlier under different circumstances.
You Have Not Looked at Your ACP for Several Years
Sometimes, there is no significant event at all.
If your Advance Care Planning (ACP) has been sitting untouched for several years, setting aside time to review it can still be worthwhile. Reading through your documented preferences may reassure you that they remain accurate, or it may highlight small updates that should be made.
Even confirming that nothing needs to change gives you confidence that your plan still represents your wishes.
Questions to Ask During an ACP Review
Reviewing your ACP is not simply about checking names and dates. It is also an opportunity to think about whether your healthcare preferences continue to reflect what matters most to you.
Consider asking yourself:
- Do my current healthcare preferences still reflect my values?
Your views on treatment, quality of life, and personal priorities may change over time. A review helps ensure your ACP continues to reflect what matters most to you. - Have there been any medical changes that could influence future treatment decisions?
A new diagnosis, ongoing treatment, or changes in your overall health may affect the type of care you would prefer in the future. - Is my nominated spokesperson still the right person to represent my wishes?
Consider whether they are still willing, able, and familiar with your healthcare preferences if they need to speak on your behalf. - Have I discussed my preferences with my family recently?
Keeping your loved ones informed can reduce uncertainty and help avoid misunderstandings if important healthcare decisions need to be made. - Would my loved ones know where to find my Advance Care Plan if it were needed?
An ACP is most useful when it can be accessed easily. Make sure your nominated spokesperson and family know where the latest version is kept. - Are there any parts of my ACP that I would explain differently today?
As your experiences and outlook evolve, you may find that some of your earlier decisions no longer reflect how you feel about future care.
These questions can guide meaningful conversations with your loved ones and healthcare providers, helping everyone understand your preferences more clearly.
When Should You Review Your Advance Care Plan?
The table below summarises common situations that may prompt you to revisit your Advance Care Planning (ACP).
Situation | Is an ACP Review Recommended? | Why It Matters |
Diagnosis of a serious illness | Yes | Your treatment preferences or healthcare goals may have changed. |
Significant improvement or decline in health | Yes | Your priorities and expectations for future care may be different. |
Marriage, divorce, or widowhood | Yes | Family relationships and decision-making responsibilities may have changed. |
Change in your nominated spokesperson | Yes | Your representative should still be willing and able to communicate your wishes. |
Several years have passed without reviewing your ACP | Recommended | A periodic review helps confirm that your plan remains accurate. |
No major life changes | Periodically | Reviewing your ACP provides reassurance that it still reflects your current wishes. |
While these situations commonly prompt a review, you do not need to wait for a major life event before revisiting your plan. If something no longer feels right or you simply want to revisit your decisions, that is reason enough to have another conversation.
Reviewing Your Advance Care Planning (ACP) Helps Keep Your Wishes Current
An Advance Care Planning (ACP) document should evolve alongside your life. Reviewing it from time to time gives you the opportunity to confirm that your healthcare preferences still reflect your values, your health, and the people you trust to support your decisions.
Updating an ACP does not mean you expect your health to decline. It is simply a way of ensuring that, if future healthcare decisions ever need to be made on your behalf, they are guided by preferences that are current rather than outdated. A timely review can also give your loved ones greater clarity and reduce uncertainty during what may already be a stressful situation.
At SATA CommHealth, we believe that meaningful healthcare conversations should continue as life changes. Creating your first Advance Care Planning (ACP) or reviewing an existing one gives you the opportunity to confirm that your healthcare preferences still reflect your wishes. If you would like to learn more about ACP or begin the conversation, our team is here to provide guidance and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I update my Advance Care Planning (ACP) more than once?
Yes. There is no limit to how many times you can review or update your ACP. If your health, family situation, or personal preferences change, you can revise your plan so it continues to reflect your current wishes.
Should my family be involved when I review my ACP?
While the decision is yours, involving your family or your nominated spokesperson can help them better understand your healthcare preferences. Open discussions may reduce confusion if they are ever asked to support decisions on your behalf.
Is Advance Care Planning (ACP) only for older adults?
No. Advance Care Planning is available to any individual aged 21 years and above in Singapore, regardless of health status. While serious illness is often the trigger that prompts people to start the conversation, younger adults also benefit from documenting their healthcare preferences before an unexpected situation arises.
What happens if I do not review my ACP after several years?
Your ACP remains available, but it may no longer reflect your current healthcare preferences or personal circumstances. Periodic reviews help ensure the information remains relevant and continues to represent your wishes accurately.
Where should I keep my Advance Care Plan after updating it?
Keep your updated ACP in a place where it can be easily accessed if needed. It is also helpful to let your nominated spokesperson, loved ones, and healthcare providers know that your plan has been reviewed and where the latest version can be found.