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My parents are aged 67 and 64 respectively. From their point of view, they think that they are old. From what national statistics suggest, there’s still 2 decades of lifespan left in each of them. How much of their remaining lifespan will be in the form of healthspan is anyone’s guess given how unpredictable life is. Since this segment is uncertain, I broached the topic of Advance Care Planning (‘ACP’) to them so that our family can make care decisions ahead of time.
Mum was receptive as she feels that I always have her best interests at heart while Dad reacted the exact opposite. The ACP process is fuss-free and straightforward but as one can imagine, getting seniors to take that first step is the hardest battle being fought here. In the end, both managed to complete their advance care plans with a certified ACP facilitator. Here are the benefits of ACP and a step-by-step guide on how to complete a ACP too.
What Is Advance Care Planning?
According to Agency of Integrated Care (‘AIC’), Advance Care Planning is a national programme that aims to empower Singaporeans to choose how they would like to be cared for. An ACP communicates to your loved ones and healthcare team about your values and how these values shape your healthcare preferences. This becomes especially critical if one becomes incapable of making decisions or speaking for oneself.
ACP is not to be confused with Advance Medical Directive (‘AMD’) or Lasting Power of Attorney (‘LPA’). LPA is the legal appointment of another person (Donee) to make decisions and act on his/her behalf if the donor loses mental capacity. In an LPA, the Donee is given legal right to make decisions on personal welfare on behalf of the donor.
