|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Advance care planning (ACP or ACPlan) helps you and your family talk about what matters most to you regarding your healthcare.
By having these important conversations and sharing your wishes with your healthcare team, they can best support your needs.
An ACP is a written document that records your healthcare preferences, priorities, and any specific advance medical directives.
An advance directive is a statement, signed in advance, about the treatments you would or would not want if you became unable to communicate your wishes.
This plan guides your care and helps your loved ones and health professionals make decisions on your behalf.
ACP is available to everyone and can be supported by our East Health Trust Integrated Care Coordinators (ICCs), as well as your GP, practice nurses and other clinicians.
It gives you and your family the opportunity to reflect on what matters to you and discuss your wishes for care, both now and in the future.
These conversations help your healthcare team provide care that aligns with your values and supports your needs.
For example, Mrs X, aged 72, began experiencing mild memory loss.
Wanting to ensure her wishes were clear for the years ahead, she created an Advance Care Plan with the help of an ICC.
Mrs X was particularly concerned about the possibility of developing severe dementia, which might limit her independence and quality of life.
She stated she didn’t want life-prolonging treatment if she could no longer recognise or connect with the people she loved.
With the ICC’s help, Mrs X included an advance directive in her ACPlan, stating her wishes for end-of-life care.
She was also encouraged to appoint an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) for personal care and welfare.
Three years later, Mrs X was diagnosed with significant dementia and her EPA was activated.
Following a fall that resulted in a fractured leg, Mrs X was admitted to hospital, where she also contracted Covid-19.
Her EPA was able to advocate for her, reminding her healthcare team of her documented wishes.
Mrs X’s family were confident knowing they could support her wishes during her final days.
Advance care planning ensures your voice is heard, even if you can’t speak for yourself.
- Talk to your GP clinic for more information, www.easthealth.co.nz.
