May 8th is the first ever national Advance Care Plan Day, but what is advance care planning?
Advance Care Planning is a voluntary process where someone thinks about and makes plans for their future health, social care and wider wishes. All UK adults are being encouraged to make a positive plan, whatever our age or state of health. It’s a little like making a will, but instead of being about the things you own, it’s about you as a person. The plan itself can be one or more documents that explain your wishes and there are lots of examples and resources here.
This year’s National Advance Care Plan Day is built around the theme of ‘Getting your house in order’. Whilst thiinking about what matters most to you, everyone is encouraged to reflect on questions such as:
- What do you want?
- What don’t you want?
- Who do you want to speak for you if you can no longer speak for yourself?
- What would you like to be remembered for?
You may want to consider medical issues, such as which treatments you would like to decline. You may also want to think about what will happen to your digital profile, as well organising a Lasting Power of Attorney, so someone you trust can make decisions on your behalf when you can no longer make them for yourself.
To find out more about what you can do to make a plan, visit www.AdvanceCarePlanDay.org
