Each year, National Advance Planning Week serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of planning for your future healthcare needs. This week-long event, running between the 17-23 of March this year, encourages individuals to document their medical treatment preferences in case they are unable to communicate their wishes. Contrary to popular belief, no one knows you better than you.
What is Advance Care Planning?
Advance Care Planning is the process of reflecting and documenting your preferences for medical treatment and end-of-life care. By doing so, you ensure that health care providers and loved ones are aware of your choices in the event of a serious injury or loss of capacity. This process involves conversations with family members, friends and medical professionals to help clarify the type of care you would want to receive when you're unable to communicate your wishes.
Why is Advance Care Planning Important?
Most people assume their loved ones will instinctively know their healthcare wishes, but this is often not the case. The person tasked with making decisions on your behalf may be overwhelmed by emotions, uncertain about what you would have wanted. Without guidance this can lead to stress, guilt and even family disagreements.
Advanced Care Planning helps by:
- Ensuring wishes are respected: Documenting your preferences reduces uncertainty for your family members.
- Reducing stress on loved ones: Advanced Care Planning can help reduce the burden on families by providing guidance on treatment options.
- Improving health outcomes: Healthcare can be personalised and delivered in the interests of your values and goals.
- Preventing unwanted interventions: Advanced Care Planning helps avoid futile and invasive treatments that you may wish to steer clear from.
How do I get started?
It's easier than you think, here's how to begin:
- Reflect on your values and preferences: Consider what matters most to you regarding quality of life and medical care.
- Discuss with loved ones: Ensure your preferences are known by having open and honest conversations with your family members and close friends about your wishes.
- Consult health care professionals: Consult a medical practitioner to discuss treatment options, benefits and consequences to help you make informed decisions.
- Complete an Advance Health Directive: Once you have completed the document, notify your loved ones and have it uploaded to your health record.
- Review and update regularly: As you age, your health needs, personal values and care preferences evolve.
Breaking the taboo
Talking about serious illness and end-of-life care can be uncomfortable, but National Advance Care Planning Week aims to normalise these conversations. Open dialogue empowers you to take control of your future healthcare decisions and provides peace of mind to both yourself and your loved ones.
Are you a health professional in the palliative care sector?
Cancer Council WA's Palliative and Supportive Care Education (PaSCE) team have launched an Online Education called Clarity in Care: Understanding Advance Care.
