It’s National Advanced Care Planning Week - Let’s get Advanced Care Planning!
Advanced Care Planning is for everyone, regardless of age or health.
It is particularly important for people living with a chronic illness and those who are approaching end-of-life. MND NSW recommends people living with MND consider Advanced Care Planning early to give piece of mind as the disease progresses.
National Advanced Care Planning week is from 20-26 March 2023. Take time this week to make sure you recieve the care you want.
What is Advanced Care Planning?
Advanced Care Planning is preparing for future decisions about what matters most to you and the medical care you choose to accept. It involves meaningful discussions with your loved ones and with your health and care workers.
Why is it important?
Advanced Care Planning is important because it helps ensure you receive the care you want and reduces unnecessary anxiety and stress for yourself and your loved ones. If a person’s choices are not known, treatments may be used that the person does not want. Sometimes, families are asked to make decisions, and this can cause worry and concern if wishes are not known.
Recording your choices
Each state and territory have different rules and processes around recording your choices.
In NSW there are two ways to record your choices:
- Appoint an enduring guardian.
- Complete an Advanced Care Directive.
Find out more about recording your choices in other states and territories.
What is an enduring guardian?
An enduring guardian is someone you have chosen to manage your health care. This person becomes the substitute decision maker if you are no longer able to make or communicate your decisions.
What is an Advanced Care Directive?
This is a record of your choices which will only be used if you do not have capacity to make or communicate your decisions.
The NSW Government has created a form which you can choose to use.
Support for people living with MND about planning ahead
The End-of-Life Care: A Guide for People Living with MND includes information about:
- MND Symptom Management and what to expect as the disease progresses.
- Organising financial, legal and other personal affairs.
- Advance Care Planning and decisions.
- Choice and control at end-of-life.
You can view the guide online or request a hard copy – 1800 777 175 or
Do you have questions about Advanced Care Planning?
If you are a person living with MND and you have questions about planning ahead, including Advanced Care Planning, contact your MND Advisor.
If you don’t have an MND Advisor, contact our Info Line to hear about the support an MND Advisor can provide and to ask questions about Advanced Care Planning on 1800 777 175 or
Events
There are several events being held across the country this week about Advance Care Planning.
Find an event near you by visiting the Advance Care Planning Australia website.
Further information
- Information about Planning Ahead with MND
- End of life care: A guide for people living with MND
- Advanced Care Planning Australia website
