Ability to Make Your Own Decisions

Who will decide for you or act on your behalf if you can’t decide for yourself? We often prepare a will for after we pass away, but what happens when you are living but unable to decide for yourself?

Health changes often affect our ability to make our own decisions about our health care, our lifestyle and our finances. Planning ahead is all about taking control of your future.

ACH Group has introduced a Planning Ahead service where a team of health professionals explain the steps involved in completing paperwork; provide the forms; help making appointments with experts for more information and provide transport if needed; facilitate family discussions; arrange for a JP to witness the forms and for certified copies of the forms to be made and distributed.

This can occur in the person’s home or at another convenient location.

According to Lenore de la Perrelle, from ACH Group Dementia Learning and Development Unit, most older people have a will in place for dealing with their estate after they die, but many people do not know about the advance directives for when they are still alive but are unable to act or decide for themselves.

“Advance Care Directives and Enduring Power of Attorney are the directives we need to put in place for the future, so that while we are still alive, but incapacitated, those caring for us understand what is important to us and can make decisions for us and act for us in ways that are consistent with our values,” said Lenore.

“Planning Ahead services give the older person and their families’ peace of mind and they are best to do ahead of time. It’s a gift to your family so they know what matters to you.”

Contact the Planning Ahead team on 1300 224 477 for assistance to get your advance directives in place.

Click here to find out more about ACH Group's aged care services.