Advanced care directives
What is an advanced care directive?
An advanced care directive outlines your preferences for your future, along with your beliefs, values and goals. It communicates your preferences for care to ensure that your loved ones and doctors are aware of your personal and health preferences. You may also formally appoint a substitute decision maker as part of your advanced care directive.
Why is an advanced care directive important?
Making an advanced care directive is an important part of planning your advanced care. As it is impossible to predict the future, you may not know what may change and when in regards to your health. You may have firm ideas currently about the way you would like to live your life, and the advanced care directive allows these to be communicated. In an emergency your loved ones may find it difficult to decide what is best for you. By planning in advance, they are made aware even if you are not able to tell them.
How can I make an advanced care directive?
Advanced care directives differ slightly by state, however the following information is a general guide to creating an advanced directive.
To make a valid advanced care directive you must be over the age of 18 and have to decision making capacity to do so. Decision making capacity refers to the ability of an individual to make decisions about legal matters, health matters, financial matters and personal matters.
The directive must be followed by family and health professionals. It cannot be overridden.
When making an advanced care directive it is essential that your doctor provides you with information and advice regarding your current health, and what may happen in the future. It is advised that you discuss you plans and wishes with a healthcare professional.
The advanced care directive will likely include:
· The person you would like to nominate as your substitute decision maker
· Information about what is important to you such as your values, goals and outcomes
· The treatments and care you would like to refuse if you have a life-threatening injury or illness
Once you have completed the forms they should be signed and dated by yourself as well as your doctor and substitute decision maker. Copies should be given to family, the substitute-decision maker, your doctor and designated hospital, and anyone else you deem appropriate. Your advanced care directive may also be uploaded to your My Health Record account.
You do not need to consult a lawyer to create an advanced care directive. The forms for each state and territory are available here:
https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/resources/advance-care-planning-for-your-state-territory
Selecting a substitute decision maker:
Choosing your substitute decision maker is an important decision. They will make decisions about your medical treatment if you are not able. The substitute-decision maker should be someone:
· You trust
· Over the age of 18 years old
· Who values your preferences for the future
· Who will be comfortable making difficult decisions
You may choose a second person to act as an alternate decision-maker for any circumstances where the first decision maker is unable to make decisions on your behalf.
Depending on the state or territory this person may be called:
· Enduring guardian
· Medical treatment decision maker
· Medical enduring power of attorney
· An agent
· A decision-maker
Changing your advance care directive:
You are able to change your advanced care directive at any point in time. If changed, you must ensure that anyone who possessed the original document is provided with the updated version. The most recent version will be followed. Reviewing your advanced care directive may be necessary is your preferences change, if your substitute-decision mater changes or if your medical condition changes.
