Introduction

Many people faced with long-term or degenerative health conditions find that they do not know how to ask the important questions or make the decisions about the care or treatment options they are given by professionals. Consequently, they either receive treatment they do not want or they cannot get the care they would like to have.

Advance decisions and advance care planning enable people to record information about the care or treatment they would like to receive in the future. They also encourage conversations with family, carers, and health and social care professionals about their needs and wishes before they experience ill health.

Purpose of the Booklet

This booklet guides people who are approaching middle age and later life through the process of making an advance decision or an advance care plan. It provides a brief description of the legal framework for decision making, gives guidance on how to ask for information to help with decisions, and outlines a suggested framework for the documentation of advanced care planning.

Intended Audience and Benefits

It will be of use to anyone who wants to put in place plans for their future care. It may be that they are facing the prospect of future ill health due to a long-term health condition, they may lead a particularly risky lifestyle, or they may simply want to prepare for their later years.

Additional Resources

The CD-rom includes a screening questionnaire in preparation for writing a plan and a template advance care plan, both of which can be printed for use. These tools are also available to access and download from our website.