The closing chapter of life’s greatest journey brings with it many adventures, including the final years of grandparenthood and the joys of life. Navigating end-of-life decisions can be tricky, but opening up the conversation is vital for compassionate and practical planning. For you and your loved ones, this ensures these later years run as smoothly and peacefully as possible.
Advance Care Planning (ACP) empowers people to lead their future medical care. Even when an individual becomes unable to communicate their preferences, they can rest assured that their wishes will be honoured by their family and friends.
For Australians, ACP is not only a legal formality but a highly valued, incredibly personal approach to healthcare. It encourages individual autonomy, self-esteem and a sense of security for individuals and their families alike. With such concerns out of the way, seniors can enjoy every moment with their children and grandchildren.
Keep reading to explore our comprehensive guide to Advance Care Planning. This can help you and your loved ones navigate and prepare for the next steps ahead.
Understanding Advance Care Planning
Advance Care Planning goes beyond simply filling out paperwork. Thoughtful conversations are at the heart of ACP, with everyone from close family members and friends to relevant healthcare providers. Even children can be involved in the planning process, with simple explanations provided about how their grandparents are going to be present in their lives and how that may change in the future.
These discussions are ongoing and centre around the individual receiving ACP. This includes the person’s needs, values, preferences and overall goals about their healthcare decisions moving forward.
Topics to consider include:
- Desired treatment options
- End-of-life care preferences
- Palliative care considerations
- Family connections
- Will and testaments
For the younger members of the family, especially grandchildren, another conversation may be required. To help them understand this process and the emotions that are likely to arise in the future, it is beneficial to discuss the basics of ACP ahead of time. Allow their grandparents to explain what is going to happen to them and support them as they process their emotions about the situation. It may be a hard conversation to have, but it’s important so that every family member is on the same page.
Why is Advance Care Planning Important?
Preparing for the end of life can be an emotionally taxing process, presenting various challenges for anyone involved. Whether that is the adults making decisions about what care homes are best suited for a senior’s needs, or discussing how children can remain in contact with their beloved grandparents.
ACP offers a chance to lift some stress and anxiety associated with this period. By making sure that the senior individual’s wishes are communicated and honoured, ACP allows people to exercise authority over their healthcare decisions.
Ideally, this care planning is done in advance while the individual is relatively healthy and able to make sound judgments. This way, they can receive the necessary care even if they become unable to clearly express themselves in the future.
ACP also offers indispensable guidance for loved ones during times of crisis. By clearly identifying and detailing the individual’s wishes about end-of-life care, this prevents ambiguity and reduces potential conflict. Friends and relatives can also focus on supporting and comforting their loved ones when major healthcare decisions are managed. It is more preferential that time is spent enjoying every moment together, rather than worrying about how to deal with unexpected surprises.
Starting the Conversation
End-of-life decisions are a sensitive topic and can be uncomfortable to approach. However, opening up the conversation is a vital move that ensures your loved one’s preferences are communicated and honoured.
Here are a few useful steps to start the conversation:
- Choose the Right Time and Place: Approach the topic in a calm, peaceful environment where you can have an open discussion. A comfortable setting where everyone is relaxed is key to a productive and meaningful dialogue. This can be at home, surrounded by loved ones, or one-on-one in a quiet public setting. Whatever is most comfortable for all parties involved.
- Be Compassionate and Empathetic: Discuss the topic with the sensitivity and empathy that your loved one needs. Acknowledge that this conversation can be uncomfortable, but also emphasise how planning ahead will only benefit them in the long run.
- Listen Actively: Support your loved ones so they feel comfortable to openly share their thoughts and feelings. Make sure everyone’s concerns are heard, keeping in mind that all perspectives are worthy of attention. By encouraging active, empathetic listening, you can help the conversation go as smoothly as possible.
- Be Honest and Open: Lead by example and contribute your own thoughts, feelings and concerns with honesty and tact. This will encourage your loved ones to follow suit. Research and prepare for the conversation in advance as this will help you address any questions and concerns with confidence.
- Seek Support if Needed: Consider finding support from healthcare professionals, counsellors or specialised support groups. This is incredibly helpful if the conversation becomes too emotionally taxing. These resources are specifically designed to offer guidance, advice and assistance that helps you navigate such complex discussions.
- Prepare Ahead: Take the next steps to get you and your loved ones prepared for any sudden emergencies. Useful tools like medical alert systems can help individuals get immediate medical assistance whenever and wherever they are. Not only is this incredibly practical, but it offers valuable peace of mind as well. Ensure that other senior benefits have been utilised, such as the New South Wales Senior Card. This will help support those seniors looking to live independently, even during their end-of-life stage.
Completing Advance Care Directives
Now that you’ve opened up the conversation and clarified end-of-life preferences, your next step is documentation.
Record any wishes in an Advance Care Directive (ACD). This is a legal document detailing an individual’s preferences surrounding future healthcare.
An ACD may include one or more of the following:
- End-of-life care
- Palliative care considerations
- Treatment and care options the individual would like or refuse
- The preferred substitute to make medical decisions if the individual is unable to do so themselves
Each state and territory in Australia has its own laws and regulations about Advance Care Directives. Make sure to research the relevant legislation for your area, since this may differ across the nation.
This is where consulting a healthcare provider or legal professional for advice can be invaluable. They can help you and your loved ones navigate an ACD so that it correctly reflects your desires.
Review and Update Regularly
Advance Care Planning is an ongoing procedure that requires regular review and adjustment. Situations change, and the Advance Care Directive should reflect any new developments in the individual’s health, circumstances or desires.
Changes should also be made whenever there are new developments in the family or friend circle. There may be cases where new family members are introduced as time goes by, requiring for a review of ACD to ensure their presence is accounted for. For example, becoming a grandparent may change your loved one’s overall plan as they wish to dedicate more time to their grandchildren for as long as they can.
Remember to update the ACD regularly and revise it wherever necessary. This way, you can ensure that these preferences can be honoured at any time.
Conclusion
Advance Care Planning is an incredibly personal and invaluable way to empower people through their end of life and beyond. This hands the decision-making power to individuals and allows them to take control of their future healthcare. It also ensures all loved ones can be involved in the process, the depth of which can be determined individually. Your senior loved one can maintain their relationships and introduce new ones even as time moves on.
Thoughtful conversations and a regularly updated Advance Care Directive can ensure your wishes are communicated and respected. This offers you and your loved ones the peace of mind to navigate this chapter of life with honour and dignity.
