Make Your Wishes Heard with an Advance Care Directive

For Karen Gregory, Resthaven’s Palliative Care Advanced Practice Nurse, Advance Care Planning Week (March 18–25) is a timely reminder that everyone over the age of 18 should have an Advance Care Directive.

‘Talking about death and dying is not always easy,’ Karen says. ‘But these conversations are extremely important. There might be a time in your life when you can’t make your own decisions, or are unable to speak for yourself. Making, and having a plan enables you to share your wishes with family and friends, and can reduce any additional stress on them when choices need to be made on your behalf.’

At Resthaven, all residents and clients are encouraged to make their wishes known, and have an Advance Care Directive and to view it as a ‘living’ document that is updated as circumstances and preferences change.

‘Advance Care Planning is a huge part of the care that Resthaven staff provide,’ Karen says. ‘We encourage residents and clients to have open and honest conversations and to be clear about what their wishes are.’

What is an Advance Care Directive?

An Advance Care Directive is the written instructions of your wishes when it comes to death and dying. An Advance Care Directive is used when a person is no longer capable of making their own decisions.

Some of the questions to consider when making your Advance Care Directive are:

• What is important to me?
• What treatments do I want to avoid?
• What does quality of life mean for me – for example - if I could no longer speak or recognise those around me?
• Where do I want to live?
• Any other personal arrangements to be considered?
• What are my dying wishes?
• Who can/will speak for me and make decisions for me if I can’t speak for myself?

‘Communication is very important,’ Karen says. ‘We want people to be having these conversations early, and to explore them deeply. That way, we can carry out these wishes, and best support everyone involved.’

‘Take the opportunity this Advance Care Planning Week to have a conversation with your family members about planning for your future health and care needs including talking about death and dying.’ 

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