What does Advance Care Planning include?

Advance care planning may include one or all of the following:

• Conversation with family and significant others which may include your doctor about your wishes for future care.
• Appointment of a Medical Treatment Decision Maker, (previously known as an Enduring Power of Attorney – Medical Treatment)
• An Advance Care Directive (ACD) is a legal document that records your wishes about future medical treatment and care in case you become too unwell to make or communicate decisions yourself. It helps ensure your preferences, beliefs, values & decisions guide your care.
• An Advance Care Plan (ACP) is a written summary of your wishes, values and preferences for future health care.It is usually created after conversations with your family and/or healthcare team, and it helps guide decisions if you become unwell and cannot speak for yourself.

 

 

How is an Advance Care Plan different from an Advance Care Directive?

Under the Victorian Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016, a formal Advance Care Directive is legally recognised.

An Advance Care Plan, however, is still very valuable because it:

• Guides your medical decision-maker
• Helps clinicians understand your goals of care & what is important to you
• Supports shared decision-making