External links to help you think about Advance Care Planning
Sometimes it can be tricky thinking about these things. Take time and have a look at these links – they may help you think about what matters most to you.
Healthtalk.org provides free, reliable information about health issues, by sharing people’s real-life experiences.
FINK cards provides a set of thought provoking questions on cards to help discuss end of life plans with your family and health care professionals. Please note there is a charge for these cards.
Macmillan Cancer Support A very comprehensive website about end of life care for patients and carers including bereavement care. It is worth taking your time to look around it and discuss with your family and friends.
Macmillan Your Life This is a ‘Your Choices Booklet Overview of Advance Care Planning’
Marie Curie A very comprehensive website about end of life care for patients and carers including bereavement care. It is worth taking your time to look around it and discuss with your family and friends.
NHS Choices An accessible, easy to read website from the NHS with information about what advance care planning is and links to further information.
Planning Ahead: Making Choices Compassion in Dying supports the uptake of existing legal rights. Provides variety of information including:
Sue Ryder Information and advice about planning ahead, advance care planning, Lasting Power of Attorney, making a will, planning for your funeral and bereavement.
“We all have our personal dreams, hopes, wishes and aspirations in life. Yet when posed with the questions: how much preparation have you made to ensure your house is in order? Have you passed on treasured memories? Have you made your wishes known to those who will be dealing with your affairs after you’ve gone or are no longer able to make decisions for yourself? How many of us can say ‘All sorted’?
Source: Dying Matters
Norman’s story
My name is Norman McNamara and at the age of just 50 I was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Since then, I have dedicated my life to raising awareness of this awful illness. I lost both my father and grandmother to Alzheimer’s, so I realise that unless they find a cure I am dying, it’s as simple as that.
This is why I think it’s so important to be involved in the decision making regarding my treatment and my wishes being respected when the time comes to say goodbye. The meeting with my family was not easy but, many tears and many hugs later, a plan was in place on which we were all agreed. The next few weeks were a revelation: it was as if a huge weight had been lifted from our shoulders and my family and me seemed more at ease now about the future. The stress this took from my wife’s shoulders in particular was immense, and now we treat every day as it comes.
Source: Dying Matters
Further resources are available here
