Is an Advance Care Directive different from a Will?
Yes, an Advance Care Directive (or living will) is different to a Will. A Will is a legal document that sets out your wishes for distributing your assets after death. A Will is implemented after you die, whereas an Advance Care Directive can come into effect while you are alive.
Who should have an Advance Care Directive?
Anyone over the age of 18 can make an advance care plan. However, it is best to start planning when you’re healthy before there is a need for the plan. This is especially important for people who are:
- at risk of losing cognitive and physical abilities
- living with a life-limiting illness
- living with an advanced long-term illness.
What does an advance care plan involve?
Advance care planning involves completing an Advance Care Directive form (relevant to your state or territory) and appointing a substitute decision-maker. A substitute decision-maker is someone you trust who is over the age of 18 (e.g. family member, friend or carer).
Advance Care Directive forms and requirements, and how to choose your substitute decision-makers, varies between states and territories. The completed forms must also be signed by a witness who can authorise a statutory declaration, for example, a medical or a legal practitioner.
Visit the Advance Care Planning Australia website to find out more about your state or territory’s requirements.
Where to find more information
If you have any questions about advance care planning, talk your GP or lawyer, or call the Advance Care Planning Advisory Service on: 1300 208 582, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm (AEST) or visit their website.
Palliative care
If you or your loved one requires palliative care, you can find out more about Bupa’s home-based specialist Palliative Care Choices programs in Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney.
Starting the conversation
Talking about advance care planning with family members can be hard. Health Link has some ideas that may help.