Advance Care Planning
What is Advance Care Planning?
Advance Care Planning is a way for patients to communicate to health professionals and services the healthcare treatments the patient would like to have or refuse, in the event the patient is seriously ill or injured and is unable to make or communicate decisions about their care and treatment.
Why do it?
An Advance Care Plan is a valuable and timely asset to ensure patient wishes and preferences are upheld when they are unable to self-advocate.
It can include:
An instructional directive with legally binding instructions for future medical treatment the patient does and does not consent to.
A values directive which documents patient values and preferences for their substitute decision-maker to consider when making decisions on the patient’s behalf.
Details of the patient’s enduring guardian(s) or person(s) responsible.
When to have the conversation
If the patient:
Raises ACP with a member of the general practice team.
Has a 45-49 year health assessment (introduce topic and provide information).
Has an advanced chronic illness (e.g. COPD, heart failure).
Has a life limiting illness (e.g dementia or advanced cancer).
Is 75 years or older, or 55 years or older for First Nations people.
Is a resident of, or about to enter a RACF.
Is at risk of losing competence (e.g. early dementia).
Has a new significant diagnosis (e.g. recent or repeated hospitalisation, commenced on home oxygen).
May anticipate decision-making conflict about their future healthcare.
Does not have anyone who could act as a substitute decision maker.
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