Advance Care Planning is a way to help you think about, talk about and document wishes for health care if you become incapable of consenting to or refusing treatment or other care. The time is NOW to make these proper arrangements and at HPCA (Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa), we encourage it.

What happens when you are stuck in the predicament of not being able to talk? Would you prefer to be in a hospital setting or rather in the comfort of your home? By filling out your wishes on this legally bonded document your preference will be heard.

The common question always arises around the importance of such a document, well if you think about it this way, financial planning for retirement is something that is always stressed and very important so that you won’t be faced with financial hardship in old age. Saving for retirement must be done when fit and young.

In the same way, even while we are still young and healthy, we should start thinking about our future health needs. This is not easy as it is hard to imagine that one day we won’t be young and healthy; and talking about death, dying and end of life issues is a taboo in our society.

The taboo mindset needs to change and that’s why we encourage everyone to talk to loved ones about their end-of-life choices.

To get the conversation going follow this link and make sure that you are managed the way you would prefer to be managed towards the end of your life.

Happy Advance Health Care Planning day!