Your future is in your hands

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YOU may not be able to control your future but you can plan for it.
Planning for the future doesn’t always have to be scary, it can be exciting as well! From planning your career path or wedding, buying a first home, or your forever home; to wills and retirement...it can all seem overwhelming...but having some plans in place for the future could make your present that much sweeter (and a lot less stressful).
If planning for the future is something you want to start thinking about try setting smaller, easily achievable goals that directly and immediately impact your current life and keep doing so until you accomplish larger goals. You can also set larger goals, that may take longer to accomplish, and actively work toward them a little each day.
The choice is yours and you have endless options because it’s your future right?

Frequently asked questions

1. What is advance care planning?
Advance care planning is an ongoing process of shared planning for current and future health care. It involves talking about a person’s values, beliefs and preferences so they can guide decision making when the person cannot make or communicate their decisions. This program is supported by funding from the Australian Government.

2. Who needs to do advance care planning?
Everyone should consider advance care planning, regardless of their age or health. It can be particularly important to individuals with an advanced chronic illness, a life-limiting illness, aged 75-plus or at risk of losing competence.

3. When is an Advance Care Directive used?
These are only used if a person is unable to make or communicate their decisions. The directive would then be used to guide the decisions made by the medical staff in consultation with an appointed substitute decision maker, if one has been nominated, and family.

4. Why is it helpful to make an Advance Care Directive?
Completing an Advance Care Directive often reassures individuals and their families as they have a clear idea of what is desired by the person in the event of illness or injury.

5. What happens if a person does not have an advance care plan?
In the event of serious illness, doctors will make treatment decisions based on their assessment of the best interests of the person. This may include treatments that the person would not want.

About Advance Care Planning Australia

Important life choices are planned, not left to chance.

National Advance Care Planning Week, March 20-26, is the perfect time to start conversations with loved ones about what's important when it comes to future healthcare preferences.

Funded by the Australian Government, Advance Care Planning Australia is the national authority on advance care planning.

The organisation supports the general public and healthcare professionals to ensure people's values and medical care preferences are heard and respected.

People are asked to consider:

• If you were very unwell, and unable to communicate your preferences for care, who would you want to speak for you?
• ­What healthcare decisions would you want them to make?

This can apply to people of all ages, but especially in old age or during serious illness.

Writing an Advance Care Directive lets you say what you would want, so your wishes can be fulfilled.

It can give you and your family peace of mind, knowing your preferences are clear, understood and respected.

Yorke Peninsula has a range of legal experts who can assist you and your family in this process.