Advance care plans and advance directives are tools that can help individuals express their preferences for future healthcare treatment in case they become unable to communicate their wishes.
People most likely to particularly benefit from having advanced care plans and directives include:
• Individuals with Chronic or Progressive Illnesses
People living with chronic or progressive illnesses (e.g., cancer, heart disease, neurodegenerative conditions) should consider advance care planning to ensure their treatment preferences are documented and respected as their condition progresses.
Example: A person with advanced cancer may wish to specify their preferences regarding pain management or whether they want aggressive treatments if their condition deteriorates.
• Older Adults
Older adults, especially those with declining health or cognitive impairments, might want to use advance care plans and directives to outline their healthcare wishes. This helps ensure that their preferences are known and honoured.
Example: An elderly individual may wish to express their desire for limited medical interventions, such as resuscitation or life support, in the event of a medical crisis.
• Individuals Undergoing Major Surgery
Individuals preparing for major surgeries might want to consider discussing and documenting their preferences regarding post-operative care and treatment options, including scenarios where they may not recover fully.
• Individuals with Cognitive Impairments
People diagnosed with conditions that may lead to cognitive decline, such as dementia, should create advance care plans while they are still capable of expressing their wishes.
Example: A person diagnosed with early-stage dementia may want to document their healthcare preferences regarding end-of-life care before their condition progresses.
• Individuals Who Value Autonomy in Healthcare Decisions
Anyone who wants to ensure their healthcare decisions reflect their values and preferences should consider using advance care plans and directives. This is particularly important for those who have specific beliefs about medical interventions.
• Family Members of Individuals with Health Concerns
Family members of individuals with health issues may encourage their loved ones to engage in advance care planning.This can alleviate uncertainty and stress for family members during healthcare decisions. While these documents are not legally binding in Aotearoa New Zealand, they can help your loved ones and medical professionals make decisions that are in line with their wishes.
If you wish to explore this more, here are some resources you can access:
