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5 simple steps to take control of your future medical decisions

Picture of Ritchelle Drilon

Ritchelle Drilon

5 simple steps to take control of your future medical decisions

Picture of Ritchelle Drilon

Ritchelle Drilon

National Advance Care Planning Week, running from 17–23 March 2025, marks a renewed push for healthcare professionals, aged care workers and individuals nationwide to consider and document their future healthcare preferences. With growing emphasis on early conversations, experts say having a plan in place ensures people’s medical wishes are respected if they become seriously ill and unable to speak for themselves.

“All healthcare professionals and aged care workers have an important role to help with planning and ensuring people have choice in their care,” Primary Health Network (PHN) says. They highlight that “advance care planning conversations should be routine and occur as part of a person’s ongoing health care planning.”

A core message of the campaign is to encourage open dialogue between patients, families and medical teams about preferred treatment options, comfort measures and potential care pathways before a serious illness arises. “Better outcomes are experienced when advance care planning is introduced early as part of ongoing care,” PHN says.

Ideally, these discussions happen when “the person should be medically stable, comfortable, and ideally accompanied by their substitute decision-maker(s), family or carer.”

This year’s awareness drive not only highlights the importance of these forward-looking conversations but also aims to demystify the process. Individuals are encouraged to reflect on their values, talk openly with loved ones and consult healthcare professionals. From completing an Advance Health Directive to reviewing it regularly, the emphasis remains on ensuring that personal values guide medical treatment whenever a person cannot communicate their wishes.

For healthcare providers, National Advance Care Planning Week offers a timely reminder to initiate or revisit these discussions. Organisers assert that families benefit greatly from having clear direction on what their loved ones want, reducing stress and potential disagreements. By promoting open communication and early planning, this national campaign seeks to uphold patient autonomy and deliver care that is truly guided by individual choice.

Getting Started is Simpler Than You Think

The process begins with personal reflection on values and preferences regarding quality of life and medical care. Experts recommend these practical steps:

  1. Reflect on your values and preferences regarding quality of life and medical care
  2. Discuss your wishes openly with loved ones
  3. Consult healthcare professionals about treatment options and consequences
  4. Complete an Advance Health Directive and ensure it’s accessible
  5. Review and update your plan regularly as health needs and preferences evolve
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Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.

Upcoming Events

6th Annual Aged Care Week

  • JUNE 19, 2025
  • ICC SYDNEY
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