Patient Liz Harris and Musselburgh Medical Centre Practice Nurse Team Leader Marryllyn Donaldson discussing Liz’s ACP
“Advance care planning is about exploring what matters to a person and can be completed by anyone at any time. Advance Care Plans are often thought to be for people at the end of life, however it also becomes important if you have some health problems, are getting older, or simply have strong views about what you do and do not want,” says Southern DHB Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist and Clinical Advisor ACP, Helen Sawyer.
“This information is shared with their loved ones and healthcare teams so treatment and care plans can support what matters most to them in the event they become unable to make decisions for themselves.”
Making an Advance Care Plan (ACP) was a priority for Dunedin resident Liz Harris who suffers from a respiratory condition. Liz wants to make sure that her family and healthcare providers know what is important to her when she can no longer speak for herself and is encouraging everyone to make an ACP.
Liz’s mother didn’t have an ACP when she died and this highlighted the importance of having one in place for Liz. “We had to make decisions that we were unsure about as my mum had not told us her wishes. I don’t want that to happen to my family,” says Liz.
“For me, having an ACP in place is one of the most important things I need to do. It gives me peace of mind – it’s a gift to my family so they know my wishes and they don’t have to think about what I would have wanted.”
ACP champion Marryllyn Donaldson, who is Musselburgh Medical Centre Practice’s Nurse Team Leader, says a good way to begin making an ACP is by having a conversation with your healthcare professional, family, or even friends over lunch.
“Talk about what matters to you as you get older, how you want to live the rest of your life and your future healthcare needs. It’s important to know that you can complete an ACP at any age and any time – the sooner the better,” she says.
ACP’s can be completed online at www.advancecareplanning.org.nz, or a plan template can be downloaded to complete later and updated at any time.
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