Advance care planning promotes care that is consistent with your goals, values, beliefs and preferences. It prepares you and others to plan for future health care and a time when you may no longer be able to communicate those decisions yourself.
It involves four key things:
- Will (how you wish your assets to be distributed upon your death)
- Enduring Power of Guardianship (who makes personal, lifestyle and treatment decisions on your behalf)
- Enduring Power of Attorney (who makes financial and/or property decisions on your behalf)
- Advance Health Directive (outlines treatment you would want – or not want – to receive if you ever became sick or injured and were incapable of communicating your wishes).
The WA Department of Health has two guides to support Advance Care Planning in Western Australia. These resources include guides, formal documents, videos and translated resources.
For queries and to order free advance care planning resources:
- Phone 9222 2300
- Email acp@health.wa.gov.au
You can also access online support and resources from:
- COTA WA is the peak body for older Australians in WA. They have produced the Goodbye Guide.
- Palliative Care WA is the peak body for palliative care in Western Australia. As well as supporting the sector they have a number of free services for community members:
- regular community workshops on Advance Care Planning
- community helpline (9 am to 5 pm, 7 days per week) for palliative care or end of life issues – ring 1800 573 299.
- personalised help to progress your Advance Care Plan (anyone who has attended one of their community workshops is eligible.
- Advance Care Planning Australia
- The Office of the Public Advocate & The Office of the Public Trustee or youonlydieonce
- My Values website helps you identify, consider and communicate your end of life wishes.
- Information in different languages is available from the WA Health website.
Having a conversation
Online help and tips on how to talk to others can be found at
- Dying to Talk
- Start to Talk (dementia resource)
Health specific information