There may come a time in your life when you think about your future or you may just like to plan ahead. Planning ahead can help make sure that other people know what you want and make it more likely that your wishes will be understood and followed. It can also assist your family and friends know what you would want.
What is Advance Care Planning?
Another term for planning ahead is ‘Advance Care Planning’. Advance care planning identifies what is important to you, your personal values, life goals, and preferences relating to medical care and care provision. It is also about who you are – what makes you ‘you’. You can write down this conversation to share with others. It is not legally binding, and you can amend it at any time.
Why should I plan ahead? Lots of people find that it gives them reassurance to know that their priorities will be considered if they become unable to make decisions or communicate their wishes. Even close friends and family may not know how you would want to be cared for and might worry if they are making decisions on your behalf that you would not want. Planning ahead is part of life. ‘Advance care planning can make the difference between a future where a person makes their own decisions and a future where others do’.
What things should I think about when planning ahead?
The suggestions below will help you to think about what things you would like to share, do or say about yourself to people should you become unwell.
The My Wishes is a digital platform where you can access free online tools to write a will, making plans for future healthcare, leave goodbye messages and create a digital legacy. You are empowered to make the best decisions for you, your future care and those you care about.
These are able to generate both legally and non-legally binding forms. Once completed documents can be downloaded, printed, emailed and shared with loved ones. healthcare professionals and funeral directors.
Click the link below to be directed to the MyWishes website, register your account and create your plans.
MyWishes: Free Will Writing, Digital Legacy, Advance Care Plan & Funeral Software
Speak to your loved ones, health and social care professionals about your wishes and the support they can provide. Some information here may help you or you support a loved one plan future care needs
Planning Ahead - Marie Curie offer information here planning-ahead.pdf (mariecurie.org.uk)
Trinity Hospice Living Well Services provide clinics and groups tailored support to hep you live as well and supported as possible right from the point of being diagnosed with a life limiting illness. Living Well Service - Trinity Hospice
Last Days Matters – local free programme available to support you, or your loved ones, friends to answer many of the questions you may ask covering:
- Planning for the future
- How to care and accompany someone with a life shortening condition
- Saying goodbye
- Recognising the signs of dying
- Negotiating the ‘new normal’ after someone has died.
Click here to book dates - Attend a Compassionate Communities workshop - Trinity Hospice
We provide support for parents, carers and siblings after the death of a child. Our Swan Specialist Nurse can offer support in your home, or in a quiet, comfortable setting. Please contact our Swan team for more information bfwh.
Helpful information and support services
Child Bereavement UK How we can support you | Child Bereavement UK
Childrens Bereavement Services
Winston’s Wish www.
Childhood bereavement charity providing advice, support & resources for grieving children.
