Live For Today, But Plan For Tomorrow

National Advance Care Planning Week is from Monday 18 March to Sunday 24 March and Wentworth Healthcare, the provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, is encouraging everyone, no matter your age or current state of health, to discuss your future healthcare plans with your loved ones and health providers.

National Advance Care Planning Week raises awareness about the importance of advance care planning to ensure your end-of-life care wishes are known and honoured when the time comes.

Advance care planning in NSW involves completing an Advance Care Directive, which is a legal document that lets people know your healthcare and treatment wishes. According to Advance Care Planning Australia, only 25% of older Australians have a legal directive in place. Given this week is also NSW Seniors Festival, it highlights the opportunity for older people to start the conversation about their end-of-life plans.

Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay, said that it’s a misconception that only the elderly or those with health issues need to consider their end-of-life care plans.

“It’s important for people of all ages to consider their plans and discuss them openly, because you just never know what might happen. Some people feel uncomfortable thinking and talking about death and dying. However, thinking about your plans, and having discussions about them, are crucial to ensure that your wishes are clear before you are in a situation, either from injury or illness, where you can no longer make decisions for yourself.”