Advance Care Planning is all about thinking about what you would like your healthcare to look like as you grow older. It is the process of working out your preferences, as well as what you don’t want to happen, and then communicating this to your family and your healthcare providers.
Discussing your values and beliefs (as well as your likes and dislikes), will help you decide on what medical treatment you would like in the future. It will also help those around you to understand and carry out your wishes. This is particularly important if ever you find yourself in a position where you cannot speak for yourself.
At Masterton Medical, we have an on-site team of specialist nurses who will guide you through the process of creating an Advance Care Plan. This will involve documenting what is important to you in a record book. The process may take time as you work through your values. When you are ready, your doctor or nurse will sign your Advance Care Plan and take two copies – one for the practice and one for the hospital. The original is for you to keep.
Advance Care Planning is recommended for everyone – young and old. However, the best time to create an Advance Care Plan is when you are fit and healthy.
Masterton Medical holds a free Advance Care Clinic on the last Thursday of every month.
If you would like to find out more about creating an Advance Care Plan or would like to visit our monthly clinic, please ring us on 06-370 0011.