As part of National Advance Care Planning Week 2023, Advance Care Planning Australia collaborated with Dementia Australia for a free, one-hour webinar to help people learn about advance care planning.
The webinar and Q&A were tailored for people living with dementia, their families and carers, and explored how to effectively prepare and plan for future health care decisions.
The webinar featured an expert panel including Dr Craig Sinclair, Dr Dimity Pond and Dementia Advocates Ann Pietsch and Heather.
Ann has been a carer for many of her family members, some of who have lived with dementia. In relation to advance care planning and being a carer she said:
"It helps me know that I've done the right thing when I'm already coping with loss and to reflect on the decisions we've made for you," she said.
At the age of 59, Ann was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. She lives at home with her husband and carer Timothy.
"Your plan (advance care plan directive) can be as detailed as you want or as simple as you like," she said.
"The most important issues in having an advance care plan for me are that this document is empowering for me.
"It expresses my values and my thoughts in relation to my life."
You can watch the full webinar video here.
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