Advance Care Planning Week, running from Monday, March 16 to Sunday, March 22, encourages Australians to consider their wishes for future treatment and care in the event they become unable to communicate or decide.
Local end-of-life doula Esther Guinea said this year's theme encourages people to take control of their treatment decisions.
“There is a theme every year and this year, it's ‘Your story, your choice’,” she said.
“It's about celebrating our individuality and empowering people to talk about and plan for the care they would want if they were unable to speak for themselves.
“I'm inviting everyone to pause and reflect on what matters most and to make this part of their advance care directive.”
Advance Care Planning is central to Ms Guinea’s role as an end-of-life doula.
Through her work, she helps patients prepare for the future, whether they are nearing the end of life or not, by organising wills and legal documents and planning funeral details.
For patients who are approaching death, she acts as a mediator between patients, their families and allied health services, helping families navigate the complexities of care.
If a patient passes away, Ms Guinea continues to support the family by discussing and actioning funeral arrangements, to ease the burden during an already difficult time.
Although services such as Ms Guinea’s can be helpful, individuals can also complete an Advance Care Directive themselves.
Advance Care Directives can include an ‘instructional directive’ which provides specific directives regarding their care or a ‘values directive’ which describes a person’s views and values.
A ‘medical treatment decision maker’ or a support person can also be appointed, who will help make decisions on the individual’s behalf if they were no longer able to.
The Advance Care Directive form can be downloaded free of charge and completed without seeking legal advice or assistance.
Ms Guinea said she can help people navigate and understand Advance Care Directives too.
“They can contact me and I can (discuss) it privately with them,” she said.
“I had one fellow come with his son to chat which was really good... they took that away, and he completed his Advance Care Directive with the help of his son.”
As part of National Advance Care Planning Week, Ms Guinea will be hosting information sessions to help people understand the benefits of Advance Care Planning.
The Rochester event will be held on Thursday, March 19 at the Rochester Community House from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
For those unable to attend the event, Ms Guinea will also be hosting ‘Death over Dinner’ on Tuesday, March 24 from 6pm at the Echuca Workers Club.
Death over Dinner is a chance for people to explore options and ask questions regarding Advance Care Planning while also honouring loved ones who have passed.
Bookings for both events can be made by contacting Esther Guinea on 0459 892 697.
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