The basics of advance care planning

Advance care planning is an important step that every person should take in future planning. It's as important as your Will, or even retirement planning. If you're not aware of what advance care directives are and why they are important, we've pulled together the basics for you.

What is advance care planning?
 

Advance care planning is deciding your wishes for your future health care needs. No one can be forced into it, however sharing your wishes does ensure your family and others around you will know what decisions to make about your health and care if you are not able to make your own decisions. Advance care planning does not involve financial decisions or Power of Attorney type directives.

Why is advance care planning important?

It helps to make sure you received care that matches your wishes and preferences. When your wishes and preferences are known and followed it improves end-of-life care. This is not just important for you, but also your family as planning reduces stress. Working out what you want from your future care and sharing that with the people close to you has benefits for everyone's well-being, particularly if you have highly stressful and emotional times in the future.

When should advance care planning happen?

At any time! In fact, this type of planning should be a regular conversation that happens as part of your ongoing health care.
You do not need to be a certain age or have a certain health condition, or even live in Residential Care to do advance care planning. Just as everyone should have a Will throughout their life, everyone should discuss future care and their wishes with their loved ones. Your wishes may change over time, and any documentation of your wishes should change too.

What are the requirements of advance care planning?

Different states and territories around Australia have different laws. However, in general planning conversations should lead to your preferences being documented in an advanced care directive. The directive should include a substitute decision maker, who will be in charge of making sure your care wishes are respected. You can choose who is appointed as your substitute decision maker.

Advance care directives are legally binding and any preferences you include in them must be followed.

Your directives should be shared with any substitute decision makers you appoint, your GP, any specialists you visit, providers of care and hospitals you visit.

For more information and tips on how to start a conversation about your future care needs, visit the Advance Care Planning Australia website.