Did you know that only one in four Australians aged 65 and over has an advance care directive?
In a time when older people are rightly demanding greater choice and autonomy over their care, three-quarters of our seniors are overlooking this important step in planning for their future.
When you consider the rise of chronic and life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, dementia and heart disease, this is a missed opportunity for people to maintain control into their final years.
So what is advance care planning?
It is a process that enables people to plan their future health care.
It provides direction to healthcare professionals and loved ones when a person is unable to make and/or communicate their own healthcare choices.
This ensures important life choices are planned, not left to chance.
An important part of healthy ageing is being able to make informed choices about your medical treatment and plan ahead for future events.
Just like completing a will, advance care planning can help people face the future with greater confidence, knowing their choices will be respected.
A little planning now will go a long way towards alleviating the burden from those closest to you and help make sure your voice is heard.
Where to start?
- Start a conversation with loved ones about what is important to you.
- Appoint a trusted person as your substitute decision-maker who can make medical decisions on your behalf.
- Speak to your doctor about how your current conditions might progress and the likely impacts on your quality of life.
- To create a legally-binding advance care directive, use forms at advancecareplanning.org.au
- Be sure to have your advance care directive signed by your doctor and witnessed - a lawyer is not required.
- Once your advance care directive is complete, make sure it's easily accessible - ideally uploaded to My Health Record.
- For free, personalised advice call National Advance Care Planning Advisory Service on 1300-208-582.
- National Advance Care Planning Week (acpweek.org.au) runs from March 22-26.
