Advance Care Planning in Singapore: Your Essential Guide

Making informed decisions about your future healthcare is crucial for maintaining your dignity and autonomy. Advance care planning offers a structured approach to ensure that your wishes are respected, even when you may not be able to communicate them directly. In Singapore, advance care planning is increasingly recognized as an important aspect of healthcare.

Definition of Advance Care Planning

Advance care planning is a process that involves discussing and documenting your preferences for future medical care, including end-of-life care, in case you are unable to make those decisions yourself. It empowers you to clearly express your values, beliefs, and goals regarding your healthcare.

Importance of Advance Care Planning

According to a study by the Institute of Medicine, only 30% of Americans have documented their end-of-life care preferences. This lack of planning can lead to uncertainty and distress for both patients and their families. Advance care planning addresses this issue by:

• Respecting Patient Autonomy: Ensures that your wishes are respected, even if you cannot express them yourself.
• Reducing Family Burden: Provides clarity to family members, reducing stress and conflict during difficult times.
• Improving Healthcare Outcomes: Facilitates better communication between healthcare professionals and patients, leading to more appropriate and patient-centered care.
• Financial Savings: Clear documentation of preferences can reduce unnecessary and costly medical interventions at the end of life.

Advance Care Planning Documents in Singapore

Two key advance care planning documents are available in Singapore:

• Advance Medical Directive (AMD): A legal document that allows you to make specific instructions regarding your medical care, including life-sustaining treatments.
• Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA): Grants legal authority to a trusted person (donee) to make decisions on your behalf, including healthcare decisions, if you become mentally incapable.

Advance Care Planning Process

The advance care planning process typically involves:

• Conversation with Healthcare Provider: Discuss your values, beliefs, and healthcare preferences with your doctor or other healthcare professional.
• Completion of Advance Care Planning Documents: Prepare and sign the Advance Medical Directive and/or Lasting Power of Attorney, witnessed by at least two independent witnesses.
• Review and Revision: Regularly review and update your advance care planning documents as your circumstances or wishes change.

Advance Care Planning for Specific Circumstances

Advance care planning is particularly important in certain circumstances, such as:

• Chronic or Terminal Illnesses: Provides a framework for managing your care in accordance with your preferences.
• Surgery or Major Medical Procedures: Allows you to express your wishes in case of unexpected complications.
• Dementia or Cognitive Impairment: Ensures that your values are respected, even if you lose the ability to make decisions for yourself.

Benefits of Advance Care Planning

In addition to the benefits mentioned earlier, advance care planning provides:

• Peace of Mind: Comfort in knowing that your wishes will be respected.
• Reduced Stress: Alleviates anxiety for both patients and their loved ones during difficult times.
• Improved Communication: Facilitates open and honest discussions about end-of-life care.
• Empowerment: Gives you control over your healthcare decisions.

Conclusion

Advance care planning is an essential tool for ensuring that your healthcare decisions are respected, even when you are unable to communicate them directly. By engaging in this process, you empower yourself, reduce the burden on your loved ones, and improve the quality of your healthcare. Make it a priority to initiate advance care planning today.

Practical Tips for Advance Care Planning

• Start Early: Begin advance care planning as soon as possible, while you are still healthy and able to make informed decisions.
• Talk to Your Family: Involve your loved ones in the process, discussing your values and preferences openly.
• Consider Writing a Personal Statement: Create a written document that outlines your wishes, values, and beliefs regarding your healthcare.
• Review and Update Regularly: Advance care planning is an ongoing process, so review and update your documents as your circumstances change.
• Keep Copies on Hand: Store copies of your advance care planning documents in multiple accessible locations.
• Sign Up for Advance Care Planning Services: Many healthcare providers and community organizations offer advance care planning services.

Advance Care Planning Tables

Table 1: Key Advance Care Planning Documents in Singapore

Table 2: Advance Care Planning Statistics

Table 3: Benefits of Advance Care Planning

Table 4: Advance Care Planning Toolkits and Resources

FAQs on Advance Care Planning Singapore

What is the difference between an Advance Medical Directive and a Lasting Power of Attorney?

• An Advance Medical Directive focuses specifically on your medical care decisions, while a Lasting Power of Attorney covers a broader range of decisions, including healthcare, financial, and legal matters.

Can I change my Advance Medical Directive or Lasting Power of Attorney?

• Yes, you can amend or revoke your advance care planning documents at any time while you are mentally capable.

What happens if I become unable to make healthcare decisions for myself before I have completed advance care planning?

• If you do not have an Advance Medical Directive or Lasting Power of Attorney in place, healthcare decisions will be made on your behalf based on the recommendations of your healthcare team and your family, if possible.

Does advance care planning apply to all healthcare decisions?

• No, advance care planning generally relates to decisions about end-of-life care. For routine medical decisions, you should still consult with your healthcare provider directly.

What is the Advance Care Planning Innovation that can be useful for complex healthcare decision-making?

• Personalized Advance Care Plan (PACP): A novel idea that can incorporate advanced data analytics, AI, and machine learning to provide a tailored and dynamic advance care plan. This comprehensive plan considers individual health data, values, and preferences, enabling more accurate and personalized decision-making in complex healthcare situations.