PA Law Video Guide
What Is an Advance Care Directive in South Australia?
If you could not speak for yourself, would the people close to you know your wishes? This short PA Law video explains how an Advance Care Directive can help you record important healthcare and personal wishes in South Australia.
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Plain-English summary
An Advance Care Directive helps record your wishes about future healthcare and personal arrangements. It can also identify a trusted person to make certain decisions for you if you are unable to make those decisions yourself.
Advance care planning is not relevant only to older people. An unexpected illness, injury or change in capacity can occur at any age. Recording your wishes can give the people close to you clearer guidance and reduce the need for them to guess what you would have wanted.
Video transcript
00:00 — If you couldn’t speak for yourself tomorrow, who would make your decisions? And more importantly, would they know what you actually wanted?
00:11 — That’s where an Advance Care Directive comes in. It lets you record your wishes about your future healthcare and personal arrangements,
00:16 — and appoint someone you trust to make certain decisions for you if you’re unable to make them yourself.
00:23 — And no, it’s not just for older people.
00:29 — Life can change suddenly at any age. An Advance Care Directive means that your family doesn’t have to guess what you would have wanted. At PA Law, we can help you put the right documents in place.
Why consider an Advance Care Directive?
The purpose of advance care planning is to make your wishes clearer before a situation arises in which you cannot communicate or make relevant decisions. A properly prepared document can help the people involved understand the values and preferences that matter to you.
Your circumstances, relationships and wishes are personal. The document should accurately reflect your intentions and be prepared and witnessed in accordance with South Australian requirements. Legal advice can help you understand the role of the document and how it fits with your broader estate-planning arrangements.
Common questions
Is an Advance Care Directive only for older people?
No. As the video explains, life can change suddenly at any age. Adults may consider advance care planning at different stages of life.
Can it help my family?
Recording your wishes can provide guidance if you cannot communicate them yourself, helping those close to you understand what you would have wanted.
Should I obtain advice?
Advice can help ensure the document reflects your circumstances and intended arrangements. PA Law can assist with preparing or reviewing an Advance Care Directive in South Australia.
What an Advance Care Directive does not cover
An Advance Care Directive concerns healthcare, accommodation and personal matters. It does not authorise financial decisions. An enduring power of attorney has a different role. Ask how these documents work together in your circumstances.
Do I have to use a lawyer to complete the form?
No. SA Health provides information and an official kit to help people prepare an Advance Care Directive. Legal advice may help where you are unsure about the document, your instructions or how it fits with other planning. Follow the current instructions about completion, witnessing and substitute decision-makers.
Use the official South Australian Advance Care Directives resources to check the current form and guidance.
Questions to prepare before seeking help
Think about your values, the personal decisions that matter to you and who you would trust to understand your wishes. Discuss the role with any proposed substitute decision-maker. Keep a note of questions you want to ask about signing, sharing copies or reviewing an existing document.
If you already have an Advance Care Directive, bring it to your appointment. Explain any changes in your wishes or relationships rather than assuming you need to start again.
Put your wishes in writing
PA Law can help you prepare an Advance Care Directive and consider how it works alongside your broader estate-planning documents.
Contact PA Law Advance Care Directive services Estate planning services
This video and transcript provide general information only and do not constitute legal advice.
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