When to consider planning for Future Care
Future care planning should be considered at all stages of adulthood, but it becomes more important as we advance in years, during key life changes or in case of developing a long-term health condition. In Scotland, this approach is called Anticipatory Care Planning, and it fulfils the same purpose.
Everyone over the age of 18 is eligible to begin planning for the future. Younger adults may consider future care planning due to chronic illnesses or life-limiting conditions. Older adults, on the other hand, are encouraged to plan proactively to ensure they are cared for the way they need to be in the event of a crisis.
Anticipatory care planning starts with a conversation with your care team, but your friends and family can also be involved to ensure that your values and decisions are aligned. Depending on the circumstances, like in the case of terminal illness or mental incapacity, timely planning is recommended. This is to ensure that legal and practical measures are in place before the capacity is lost.
In the event that you are unable to make decisions, you have the possibility to appoint one or more people to make these decisions for you through a legal document called Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA).
There are two types of LPAs:
- Health and Welfare LPA, for decisions about medical care, life-sustaining practices, or everyday routine,
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA, for decisions concerning bills, property, benefits and other financial management.
Early and open discussions provide peace of mind for the individual and their loved ones, as they are reassured that their care preferences are respected and understood.
Ahead of this conversation, you may want to prepare an advance care statement. This document is not legally binding, but it can help guide healthcare professionals and families to make the right decisions. In this statement, you can cover:
- The type of care you would like to receive.
- The decision to refuse certain treatment (Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment).
- Decisions regarding CPR, such as DNACPR (Do Not Attempt CardioPulmonary Resuscitation) or ReSPECT (Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care & Treatment). They will help record recommendations for emergency care, which will help healthcare professionals in case of a crisis, including whether CPR should be attempted, while also taking into consideration the person’s values and wishes.
- The place where you’d like to be cared for, like your own home or a care facility.
Your cultural background, traditions, rituals, and spiritual practices. - Specifically, who you want to be involved in your care in terms of companionship and emotional support.
- Plan your digital legacy by providing clear instructions regarding what will happen to your online accounts, e-mails, and other forms of media like photos or videos that are not physically stored anywhere.
What happens next?
Creating an advance care plan is voluntary and can be revised at any time. Make sure you create multiple copies of your plan, and that they are kept somewhere safe, like in your medical file. This is so that only appropriate people, like your nominated family and/or care staff, can access it when necessary. Make sure you review it regularly, especially after a major life event, to ensure it accurately reflects your wishes.
Embedding advanced care planning into routine healthcare helps create a compassionate care system, and is an act of care for yourself and for those who one day may need to speak on your behalf.
Care planning software can improve future care planning by providing a platform for recording, reviewing and sharing care plans. It helps with maintaining transparency and communication between families and care providers, ensuring that the care plan is consistent with the individual’s evolving needs.
If you would like to find out more about our care planning solutions contact us and one of our experts will be in touch with you to discuss how our Access Care Planning can best support your future care planning journey.
