News

A community event to help people consider their future medical care and understand the importance of advance care planning is being hosted by Barwon Health in early April.

As part of National Advance Care Planning Week 2019, the event gives attendees the opportunity to discuss what living well means to them and learn how plans can be made today to provide a medical care road map for tomorrow.

“We want to help people prepare for a time when they may be too sick to speak for themselves and consider a scenario where family and doctors are left to make tough decisions. Advance care planning (ACP) can give people a voice, ensuring they remain in the driver’s seat, regardless of what the future brings,” said Professor Charlie Corke, Barwon Health Intensive Care Specialist.

With an ageing population, advance care planning is becoming an increasing priority for both the community and health sector. Currently, less than 15% of Australians have documented their preferences in an Advance Care Directive, despite the fact that 50% of people will be too unwell to make their own end-of-life decisions.

Medical Director of Advance Care Planning Australia, Dr Karen Detering is delighted to see the Geelong region getting behind the initiative.

“It’s great to see organisations like Barwon Health helping people to take a more active role in their future health care. We hope that this event helps empower the people of Geelong and surrounding communities to speak up about the kind of care they want, and ensure their preferences are heard and respected, now and into the future,” said Dr Karen Detering.

For more information on National Advance Care Planning Week, visit http://www.acpweek.org.au.  

Event details

Public events	Time	Date
‘What is advance care planning?’	11am - 12pm	Monday 1 April
‘Planning for a good death’, by A/Prof Charlie Corke	2pm to 3pm	Tuesday 2 April

All events will be held in the Conference Room, St Mary’s Library & Research Centre, 190 Myers Street, Geelong. 

To RSVP, please contact Serena Griffin on 4215 0481 or email [email protected].  Alternatively book via Eventbrite.

Event for Health Practitioners: ‘How do we start the conversation?’
When: Wednesday 3 April, 2pm - 3pm.  
RSVP via the ACP Office on 4215 7723 or email: [email protected]

Background: What is advance care planning?

Advance care planning promotes care that is consistent with your goals, values, beliefs and preferences. It prepares you and others to plan for future health care and a time when you may no longer be able to communicate those decisions yourself. 

Key facts about advance care planning

• Almost 50% of people will not be able to make their own end-of-life medical decisions[1]
• Less than 15% of Australians have documented their preferences in an Advance Care Directive[2]
• A third of Australians will die before the age of 75[3]
• Most people die after a chronic illness, not a sudden event3
• Research shows that advance care planning can reduce anxiety, depression and stress experienced by families and that they are more likely to be satisfied with their loved one’s care[4]

About Advance Care Planning Australia

Funded by the Australian Government, Advance Care Planning Australia is the national authority on advance care planning. The organisation supports the general public and healthcare professionals to ensure people’s values and medical care preferences are heard and respected.

advancecareplanning.org.au

[1]

Silveira MJ, Kim SY and Langa KM. Advance directives and outcomes of surrogate decision making before death. New England Journal of Medicine. 2010; 362: 1211-8.

[2] White B, Tilse C, Wilson J, et al. Prevalence and predictors of advance directives in Australia. Internal medicine journal. 2014; 44: 975-80.

[3] Australian Bureau of Statistics. Deaths, Australia, 2016. Available at http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/3302.0 (last accessed 17 April 2018).

[4] Detering KM, Hancock AD, Reade MC and Silvester W. The impact of advance care planning on end of life care in elderly patients: randomised controlled trial. Bmj. 2010; 340: c1345.