Advance Care Planning

Advance Care Planning

Advance Care Planning is a process where people talk with their health care providers, family members and other important people in their lives about their health, and any choices they have made for their future health care.

Advance Care Planning helps ensure that an individual's choices relating to future medical treatment are respected; in case a time comes that they are unable to make or communicate decisions for themselves.

Advance Care Planning is a broad activity which may include one or more of the following:

verbal communication with carers, families, important others or health professionals about ones future health preferences.
Choosing a "person responsible" or "substitute decision maker" and informing them about ones wishes. This person can be made an Enduring Guardian if this is desired.
in some cases advance care planning may include documentation such as an "Advance Care Directive" or "Plan of Treatment" (A plan of treatment can be used for those who lack capacity due to dementia, mental illness, delirium and so on.)

Why have Advance Care Planning?

Many people wish to have a say in their future medical treatment should they have a serious illness or injury and cannot speak for themselves.
Choosing a 'person responsible' or substitute decision maker' (previously called next of Kin) and discussing ones wishes with them, helps ones wishes be known if they cannot speak for themselves.
Families, friends and carers often are very grateful and value the opportunity to discuss, understand and be guided by an Advance Care Directive or Plan of Treatment for their loved ones.
Health care professionals can benefit from knowing the expressed wishes of their patients/clients.
Advance Care Planning can assist in avoiding, or at least reducing, the physical, financial and emotional suffering associated with unwanted, unnecessary medical or withdrawal of wanted treatments.

What is an Advance Care Directive?

An Advance Care Directive is a written statement regarding someone's wishes for their own future health care.
An Advance Care Directive is only used if, at some point in the future, the person becomes incapable of making health care decisions for themselves (through illness or accident).
An Advance Care Directive can be made now by anyone who has the capacity to do so.
A Plan of Treatment Plan can be used for those without capacity to do an Advance Care Directive.

The documents in the CCDGP ACP package will assist individuals', health care professionals and Residential Aged Care Facilities in addressing this important issue.

The package provides information sheet, discussions, resources and several links to additional websites to assist those with specific needs.

There are examples of Advance Care Directives to copy or download and Plans of Treatment for those without capacity to do an Advance Care Directive

Documents in the package can be downloaded free for use from the CCDGP website: www.ccdgp.com.au However we do ask that you acknowledge the source and that you check for updates from time to time.

The Information and opinions expressed on this website do not constitute medical or legal advice. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content of this site, the authors cannot be held responsible for any omissions or errors. It is important that individuals seek appropriate professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances.

Acknowledgements: Central Coast Palliative Care Service Northern Sydney Central Coast Health; Central Coast Carer Support Unit Northern Sydney Central Coast Health; Advance Care Planning Hunter New England Health; NSW Advance Care Directive Association; and the members of the Advance Care Planning Working Group Central Coast.

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