Advanced Care Plan
ADVANCED CARE PLAN
- document containing an individual’s values, beliefs, life goals and expressed wishes relating to healthcare, finances and lifestyle decisions, that will help guide future life decisions in the unfortunate future event that the individual loses capacity to make informed decisions
ADVANCED CARE DIRECTIVE
- written document by a competent adult, that is intended to apply to a future period of impaired decision-making capacity, which provides the legal power for decision-making pertaining to medical treatment and healthcare, to a prescribed set of preferences and/or as directed by a nominated surrogate Decision-Maker (any adult).
- Must be witnessed by a Justice of the Peace, GP, lawyer, police, social worker or school principal.
- Differs between states.
- Living will – only takes effect when you are still alive but lose decision-making capacity.
- Legally-binding to health care practitioners.
- Clinical care and treatment plans should be informed by the ACP and ACD
- ACP and ACD are recommended for patients at risk of health deterioration and palliative/terminal care.
- May be completed at any stage of life, planning for unexpected illness or injury
- May be added to electronic health record.
- Advance Personal Plan: Dept of the Attorney-General and Justice, NTG