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Advanced Care Planning
What is Advanced Care Planning (ACP)?
Advanced Care Planning (ACP) is a non-legal discussion where individuals communicate their personal values, goals, and preferences for future medical care.
Through this process, individuals consider their healthcare wishes in advance and discuss them with their loved ones and healthcare providers.
This ensures that, if a patient becomes too ill or incapacitated to make decisions for themselves, their doctors and family members understand the kind of care they would want moving forward.
Why is making an ACP important?
When the time comes to make critical end-of-life decisions, many patients are unable to participate due to illness or incapacity. In these situations, healthcare professionals are often left with no clear guidance, and the default is typically to continue treatment.
Without prior conversations about end-of-life preferences, caregivers can struggle to know what the patient would have wanted.
An ACP ensures that your healthcare wishes are clearly documented, so your choices are respected. It also spares your loved ones from making difficult decisions without knowing your preferences.
Who can make an ACP?
Anyone aged 21 or older can begin the process of Advanced Care Planning.
Starting your ACP early, while you’re healthy, allows you more time to reflect on your values and preferences for future care.
ACP isn’t just for the elderly or those facing health issues—it’s for everyone! Planning ahead ensures that your healthcare decisions align with your personal values, regardless of your age or current health.
What are the implications of an ACP?
An ACP is a document that outlines your healthcare wishes, but it does not dictate your future medical decisions. If you become unable to make medical decisions, your healthcare team will consider your ACP along with input from your loved ones to ensure decisions are made in your best interest.
An ACP is not legally binding and can be updated or changed at any time.
What does the ACP include?
Living Matters:
- What “quality of life” means to you
- What are your life values and hobbies?
Medical Matters:
- The kind of medical treatments you would want or wish to avoid
- Your preferences for level of life support
- How and where you would like to be cared for in your last days
How to make an ACP?
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
1. Consider your wishes | Take time to think about the quality of life you want and the medical treatments you are comfortable with. Consider your values and preferences when it comes to future healthcare. |
| 2. Choose your Nominated Healthcare Spokesperson | Select someone you trust to convey your care preferences if you become unable to speak for yourself. This person is often a family member or close friend. You can designate up to two spokespeople to communicate on your behalf. |
| 3. Document your choices | Talk to your doctor about starting the conversation, and they can help guide you through the process. You can complete your ACP online for free through myACP. If you prefer to discuss it in person, schedule an appointment with an ACP facilitator who can assist you in documenting your choices. |
| 4. Review your ACP | As life changes, so may your views on end-of-life care. If you wish to update your preferences, make sure to revise your ACP by scheduling another session with an ACP facilitator. |
Incorporating an ACP into your healthcare planning is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your medical decisions reflect your values and preferences. It offers peace of mind, not only for you but also for your loved ones, knowing they have clear guidance when it matters most.
By taking the time to discuss and document your wishes, you empower both yourself and your healthcare team to make choices that honor your beliefs, giving you greater control over your future care.
Speak to any of our family doctors today to find out more about Advanced Care Planning!
Author
Dr Amaris Lim
MBBS, MMed (Fam Med), GDip (Sports Med)
Dr Amaris is a Family Physician at Frontier Healthcare with a special interest in Sports Medicine. She also contributes as one of the Core Faculty for the Family Medicine Residency Program with the National University Health System (NUHS). She currently practices at Canberra and Bukit Batok.
