If you were too unwell to speak for yourself, who would speak for you and what would they say? It's the most important conversations that we end up avoiding. We spoke with several families and explored the big questions.
Read more of the families' stories below.
Share your choices today by starting the conversation
Starting the conversation about advance care planning is an important first step in ensuring a person's preferences for future care are known and respected.
The advance care planning process
Advance care planning is a simple process that you can start today. It involves thinking about your values, beliefs and preferences for your future health and will involve discussing them with your loved ones and doctors.
Video discussion questions
Gerald's Story
Did you know that almost one in three of us will be unable to make our own medical decisions at the end of our lives? Gerald developed what he thought was a common cold. Within 24 hours, he was fighting for his life and his family suddenly had to make life or death decisions on Gerald’s behalf.
Sue & Heather's Story
Sue and Heather did their best to support their dad as he struggled to decide whether they should accept life-prolonging treatments for their mum.
Knowing that he didn't want to put his children through what we had been through, Sue and Heather's dad decided to make an advance care directive for himself.