Open and Honest Conversations are Key for Advance Care Planning

One of the most important conversations any individual may have with their loved ones or care providers is around their wishes concerning death and dying. That is why at Resthaven, advance care planning conversations are encouraged at all stages of life, as well as being elevated through training for all employees, and with hands-on support and guidance from Resthaven’s specially trained palliative care nurses, Karen Gregory and Claire Tan.

National Advance Care Planning Week (March 17-23) is the perfect time to raise awareness and encourage conversations about future care choices, death and dying wishes and discussions about goals, needs and preferences for everyone.

‘Conversations around advance care planning should be ongoing and evolving,’ Karen says. ‘Talking about death and dying is not always easy, but these discussions are extremely important. There comes a time in many people’s lives when they can’t make their own decisions or are unable to speak for themselves, so making and having a plan enables you to share your wishes with family and friends. This can reduce any additional stress on them when choices need to be made on your behalf.’

While there is a greater emphasis placed on Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning in the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, Karen says that these matters have always been an essential component of Resthaven’s core offering.

‘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 with us and their families, 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 only 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? Or I was no longer able to care for myself.
• Where do I want to live? And are there any other personal arrangements to be considered?
• What are my dying wishes? Where would I prefer to be and who would I like to be there.
• 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.

Need additional support? Advance Care Planning has a range of resources and guides to assist.

Find out more about Resthaven