Advanced Care Directive

While no one wants to think about these types of situations, planning for end of life is important - especially for patients who have had a previous medical episode, stroke, dementia, or communication issues. Everyone should consider advanced care planning, even if they are not living with an existing medical or health condition. Emergency situations can happen at any time, to anyone and having a plan in place provides a sense of control and the ability to assure their wishes will be respected.

An Advanced Care Directive is a legally binding document that empowers your patients to make clear arrangements for their future health care and end of life matters.

So, What is in a Directive?

Your Advance Care Directive can contain your future health care decisions, end of life care wishes, residential or living arrangements and any other personal matters you want to implement if you are no longer able to make these decisions yourself.

For instance, many people are scared to be resuscitated if they have a heart attack because of what damage or condition they could be left in afterwards. It is not unusual to have a ‘do not resuscitate’ direction in your Advance Care Directive to stop this eventuating.

If you decide not to highlight your wishes in an Advance Care Directive, you can instead appoint a Substitute Decision Maker to act on your behalf. Choose a close family member or friends you trust to make the decisions you want. You should have an open and transparent conversation with the chosen person about your wishes. Any concerns they may have can be answered and you can be assured that your wishes will be followed as closely as possible.

To prepare an advanced care directive, you must be aged at least 18 years old, understand what an advanced care directive is and know what and when it will be used for. It is important to note that an advanced care directive does not allow its maker to state their wishes regarding financial or legal matters. Such matters can only be dealt with in an enduring power of attorney or a Will. Ideally, the prepared person would have a valid enduring power of attorney, advanced care directive and Will.

If you would like to discuss advanced care directives or would like to prepare one, simply email us at info@straitslawyers.com or call at 08 8410 9069 to arrange an appointment.

Alternatively, you can book an online consultation with us via this link: https://straits-lawyers.square.site/product/online-consultation-/11?cs=true

Please note that this article does not constitute legal advice and Straits Lawyers will not be legally responsible for any actions you take based on this article.