This week is National Advance Care Planning Week, which means it’s a good time to consider your plans for future medical care.
While more Australians are living longer, few are considering how their values and preferences for medical treatment may be considered if they are no longer able to communicate, with Advance Care Planning Australia (ACPA) estimating that around a third of people will be unable to make their own end-of-life medical choices.
According to Dr Chris Moy, Vice-President of the AMA and ambassador for ACPA, sudden health events or even gradual declines may leave people with no voice when it comes time for medical treatment.
“Less than 15% of Australians have an advance care directive. This means that millions of Australians are unaware that they have given up their ability to control their own destiny should they lose decision-making capacity.
“This leaves their loved ones with the burden of making heart-breaking decisions blindly. No family should have to go through that,” he said.
National Advance Care Planning Week, from March 21-27, aims to “demystify and normalise” conversations around death and dying, and encourage Aussies both young and old to take the necessary steps to make sure their future medical care is covered.
For more information – including guidance on talking to family, attending events, and filling in necessary forms – visit the ACPA website.
