Advance care planning

• Advance care planning can help you to have a say in what type of care you receive in the future.
• It helps others understand your values, beliefs and preferences for when you are no longer able to make or communicate decisions about your health and personal care.
• Advance care planning can start at any age. It is best started when you are feeling well and able to make decisions.

Advance care planning can give you peace of mind by knowing that others understand your wishes in case a time comes when you are no longer able to tell them what is important to you.

It can also make it easier for your family, friends and health professionals who may care for you in the future.

Families and friends of those who take part in advance care planning say they feel less stressed and are happier with the care their loved one received. To learn more, visit the following webpages and peruse the resources below. A good starting point is Your Guide to Advance Care Planning in WA: A workbook for planning your future care (PDF 1.2MB).

Advance care planning documents

There are a number of advance care planning documents available in WA for you to record your values, care preferences and treatment decisions. Thinking about what types of decisions and thoughts (PDF 286KB) you want to share will help you decide which document(s) could be useful.

Advance Health Directive Advance Health Directive Form (PDF 500KB)  Guide to Making an Advance Health Directive in WA (PDF 1.5MB) Advance Health Directive Alert Card (external site)

Other documents Values and Preferences Form: Planning for my future care (PDF 387KB) Enduring Power of Guardianship (external site) Advance care plan for person with insufficient decision-making capacity (external site) Quick reference – advance care planning resources in WA (PDF 286KB); Advance care planning resources order form (PDF 381KB)

Resources for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) groups

A range of advance care planning resources are available on the Advance care planning translated resources page.

Education sessions

Palliative Care WA delivers free, informative and interactive community workshops on advance care planning and palliative care in Perth and regional WA. Workshops cover are run in person or online. For more information or to book a workshop visit Palliative Care WA (external site).

Where to get help

Advance care planning

• Department of Health WA Advance Care Planning Information Line
  General enquiries and to order advance care planning resources  (e.g. Advance Health Directives, Values and Preferences form)
  Phone: 9222 2300
  Email: ACP@health.wa.gov.au
• Palliative Care Helpline
  Information and support on issues to do with advance care planning, palliative care, grief and loss
  Phone: 1800 573 299 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm every day)
  Palliative Care WA (external site)
• Advance Care Planning Australia Free Support Service
  General queries and support with completing advance care planning documents
  Phone: 1300 208 582 (Monday to Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm AEST)
  Online referral form (external site)

Enduring Powers of Guardianship and Enduring Powers of Attorney

• Office of the Public Advocate
  Phone: 1300 858 455
  Email: opa@justice.wa.gov.au
  Office of the Public Advocate (external site)

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This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.