Advance care planning

What is advance care planning?

Advance Care Planning (ACP) involves a patient thinking about and communicating to others how they would like to be treated in the future if they have a condition where they can no longer speak for themselves. This may happen, for example, as a result of stroke, progressive dementia, or becoming unconscious from some form of accident or illness.

An Advance Care Directive (ACD) is a component of an Advance Care Plan and contains information relevant to specific areas of healthcare and the values and wishes of an individual which would be expected to impact on treatment options. Numerous directives have been developed by a variety of organisations to meet the needs of our diverse population. Indeed, any written and recorded statement of wishes is legally binding. Endorsement by a medical practitioner is recommended but not essential.

Why is advance care planning important?

Undertaking ACP means that future decisions about a person’s care are more likely to reflect their wishes. ACP identifies sensitive issues and clarifies the actions an individual would prefer in certain medical situations should they occur in the future. For many reasons these topics of discussion between family, carers and GPs are often avoided.

Having an ACP means other people will not have to make decisions on a person’s behalf without an appreciation of that person’s feelings or wishes. It also reduces the likelihood of confusion and conflict regarding decisions of care between all parties involved. With an ACP in place a person can feel comfortable and reassured that there will be a common and calm approach to their care toward end-of-life.

Resources:

• Bud Tingwell
• Dr Dimity Pond ACP with dementia
• Who can assist with ACP?
• Individual situations of ACP
• Enduring guardianship
• Powers of attorney
• Wills

Advance Care Directive template

• NSW Health (Making an Advance Care Directive)

Useful links that may assist decision making and planning

• NSW Government (Tools to Assist Planning)
• Dementia Australia (Start2Talk)
• Multicultural Health Communication, NSW Department of Health – Advance care planning for end of life for people with mental illness. This guide will help support people with mental illness, their family and carers, with the complex and diverse issues which might arise around advance care planning for end of life. This guide is available in eleven languages. Click here for more information.
• Aboriginal Stories about Approaching the End of Life
• Taking Care of Dying Time
• Advance Care Plans –Starting the conversation.