Capalaba resident Gwendelene Dillon says having an Advance Care Plan in place has given her peace of mind, knowing her family understands her wishes.
Gwendelene recently met with Metro South Health Advance Care Planning Clinical Nurse Consultant Dina Ruas to discuss her future healthcare needs.“I came to speak to Dina because I was worried about my end-of-life plans,” she said.
“I wanted it sorted for my family. I have three children, and I wanted them to know what I want towards the end.
”The Metro South Health Advance Care Planning Service provides specialist support to clinicians, patients, families, and communities to discuss, plan and document their future health care needs.
Clinical Nurse Consultants support clinicians work across all MSH facilities and are available for a range of support services, including direct patient and family support and clinician advice and education.
The service provides support for Redland Hospital and Redlands Satellite Health Centre and includes free clinics to support document completion at Wynnum Manly Community Health Centre and Redlands Satellite Health Centre.
Gwendelene said her husband’s declining health made her realise the importance of having a plan.
“My husband now has diabetes and Parkinson’s, and he is deteriorating,” she said.
“So, we wanted to have planning done so the family has direction, and I have a direction. I go through the three documents people can fill out and explain what they’re for,” she said.
The Advance Health Directive and Enduring Power of Attorney are legally binding documents, and The Statement of Choices guides substitute decision makers and clinicians about a person’s views, wishes and preferences for health care in the event they are unable to make decisions for themselves.
For Gwendelene, having everything in writing has provided relief. “My family knows what I want, and it’s written down,” she said.More information is available online.