There may be times when you think about the consequences of a serious illness. This may be when you are diagnosed with a serious illness, or as a result of a change in your health or condition. It may simply be because you are the sort of person who likes to plan ahead.
You may want to take the opportunity to think about what a serious illness might mean to you, your partner or your relatives, particularly if you become unable to make decisions for yourself. You may wish to record what your preferences and wishes for future care and treatment might be or you may simply choose to do nothing at all.
Some of the things you may wish to consider:
- Do you have a preference about where you want to be cared for?
- Are there treatments which you would not want to have (including cardiac resuscitation)?
- Is there someone who you would like to be involved in decisions about your treatment or care if you became unable to make decisions for yourself?
- Have you written a will?
One way of making people aware of your wishes is by a process of "advance care planning". If you would like to know more about this, please talk with your consultant or GP, Nurse or Care Home Manager. If you have a Macmillan Nurse (Palliative Care Nurse) they will also be able to help, or you can find out more on the Macmillan website via the following link:
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatment/if-you-have-an-advanced-cancer/advance-care-planning
There are a number of relevant forms and checklists mentioned within this website, these can be downloaded via the links below:
Preferred Priorities For Care Form
Advance Decision To Refuse Treatment Document
Advance Care Planning Checklist