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Planning for future medical needs with an empowered and positive outlook is the premise of a newly launched guide from Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC).
The resource, produced with funding from the State Government, is a comprehensive first-step information booklet on how to appoint a medical treatment decision maker, creating an advance care directive and how to approach conversations with loved ones.
ECLC legal services director and principal lawyer Belinda Lo said this document was about helping people “make informed decisions” and allowing them to “still have control over decisions” when they are unwell.
“What we know from our work in the space of elder abuse prevention and elder abuse response is that the less you’re able to make your views known whilst you are healthy and well, the less control you have over what happens to you, of course, when you are ailing,” she said.
“It’s also really difficult for family members to know how to make decisions for you because you haven’t had those discussions with them or family and loved ones will argue about the best healthcare for you without having your views taken into account as well.”