Advance Care Planning Singapore: 5 Things You Need to Know

What is Advance Care Planning?

Advance care planning is a process of making informed decisions about your future healthcare in the event that you become unable to make them yourself. It involves discussing your values, preferences, and goals with your healthcare providers, family, and friends. Advance care planning documents, such as living wills and healthcare proxies, can help ensure that your wishes are respected and that you receive the care you want.

Why Advance Care Planning Matters

Advance care planning is important for several reasons:

• It allows you to have a say in your future healthcare and to make sure that your wishes are respected.
• It can help to reduce stress and anxiety for you and your loved ones during a difficult time.
• It can help to ensure that you receive the care that you want, even if you are unable to communicate your wishes yourself.

How Advance Care Planning Benefits You

Advance care planning can benefit you in many ways, including:

• Reduced stress and anxiety for you and your loved ones.
• Peace of mind knowing that your wishes will be respected.
• Improved quality of care.
• Reduced healthcare costs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Advance Care Planning

There are a few common mistakes that people make when they are advance care planning, including:

• Not starting early enough. Advance care planning should begin when you are healthy and able to make your own decisions.
• Not discussing your wishes with your healthcare providers, family, and friends. It is important to have open and honest conversations about your values, preferences, and goals.
• Not completing advance care planning documents. Advance care planning documents, such as living wills and healthcare proxies, are essential for ensuring that your wishes are respected.

Effective Strategies for Advance Care Planning

There are a few effective strategies that you can use to advance care planning, including:

• Start early. Advance care planning should begin when you are healthy and able to make your own decisions.
• Educate yourself. There are many resources available to help you learn about advance care planning.
• Talk to your healthcare providers, family, and friends. It is important to have open and honest conversations about your values, preferences, and goals.
• Complete advance care planning documents. Advance care planning documents, such as living wills and healthcare proxies, are essential for ensuring that your wishes are respected.

Conclusion

Advance care planning is an important process that can help to ensure that you receive the care you want, even if you are unable to communicate your wishes yourself. By starting early, educating yourself, and having open and honest conversations with your loved ones, you can make sure that your wishes are respected and that you receive the best possible care.

Additional Resources

• National Institute on Aging
• American Bar Association
• [National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization](https://www.nhpco.org/living-dying-and-caring/advance-care-planning/

Table 1: Key Advance Care Planning Documents

Table 2: Benefits of Advance Care Planning

Table 3: Common Mistakes to Avoid in Advance Care Planning

Table 4: Effective Strategies for Advance Care Planning