Special feature – advance care planning

Advance care planning is the process of an individual planning the healthcare they would or would not like to receive if they are injured or become seriously ill and are unable to communicate their preferences.

It helps the individuals’ loved ones and doctors know what care they would prefer to receive.

This month, we’re taking a closer look at advance care planning and SWSPHN’s important role in raising awareness and encouraging community and healthcare providers to document these plans.

 

What is advance care planning?

Advance care planning is the process of planning for future healthcare needs. It relates to healthcare an individual would or would not like to receive if they were to become seriously ill or injured and are unable to communicate their preferences or make decisions. This often relates to the care people receive at the end of their life.

Advance care planning gives individuals the opportunity to think about, discuss and record their preferences for the type of care they would receive and the outcomes they would consider acceptable. It helps to ensure loved ones and doctors know what their health and personal preferences are and that these preferences are respected.

Why is it important?

Advance care planning benefits everyone: the individual, their family, carers and health professionals.

• It helps to ensure individuals receive the care they actually want, it reduces unnecessary transfers to acute care and unwanted treatment
• It improves ongoing and end-of-life care, along with personal and family satisfaction
• Families of people who have undertaken advance care planning have less anxiety, depression, stress and are more satisfied with care

Who should have an advance care plan?

Everyone should consider advance care planning, regardless of age or health.

It is particularly important if the individual is:

• older
• has a chronic illness
• has multiple diseases
• has an early cognitive impairment
• is approaching the end-of-life

What’s the difference between advance care planning and advance care directives?

An advance care directive is sometimes known as a living will. It’s something an individual creates for themselves and involves documenting their preferences for future care. It can include their values, life goals and preferred outcomes, and directions about care and treatments. An advance care plan is created by someone else on behalf of a person with diminished or no capacity to make decisions for themselves.

To learn more, visit the Advance Care Planning Australia website, or call National Advance Care Planning Support Service on 1300 208 582 for help in creating your plan.

How does SWSPHN raise community awareness about advance care planning?

In July we presented an event in collaboration with Wollondilly Council’s Café Connect program and End-of-life Angels. You Only Die Once was an end-of-life planning workshop at Picton. The event gave participants a better understanding of advance planning, where to find information about the subject, and made them feel more comfortable about discussing their end-of-life wishes with family and friends.

SWSPHN also creates awareness of advance care planning by hosting stalls at community events across South Western Sydney such as at the Agency Exchange Day hosted by MDS at Leumeah in June. 

Our team will host further stalls at events in October and November to discuss advance care planning, including at the Dementia Prevention and Wellbeing Expo at Bankstown (27 September);  Carers Pamper Day at Camden (19 October);  Grandparents Day at Oran Park (26 October); and Café Connect at Picton (15 November).

SWSPHN promotes advance care planning through providing information, resources and links on our websites. Information about advance care planning is available for healthcare providers and community on the SWSPHN website.

Information about advance care planning is available on Health Resource Directory in a range of languages. If you’d like more information about advance care planning or our Peace of Mind project, email pomp@swsphn.com.au