ARMIDALE Hospital is urging community members to look to the future and plan ahead to make a difficult time – a little easier.
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The call from the Rusden Street hospital comes at the start of National Advance Care Planning Week which aims to encourage all Australians to discuss their health preferences with their loved ones.
Social worker manager Fiona Ord said organisation advance care planning was a conversation everyone needed to have with their family or friends.
“We have a heap of information because it is a very taboo topic but in fact it is so important,” Ms Ord said.
“People need to take control of their own journeys – whatever that may look like.
“Currently 43 per cent of people die without a will which can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for their families.”
The staff held a stall in the Armidale Hospital entrance from 9.30am to 12.30pm, with balloons, morning tea and resources from the National Advance Care Planning website.
Advance Care Planning Week runs from April 16 to 22.
“I think it’s a subject that has been very difficult for people,” Ms Ord said.
“The first step is starting the conversation. It’s when something terrible has happened that can be the worst time to have these discussions so we are saying let’s not wait and have these chats way before and they aren’t set in stone.
“The message is about communicating with your family or friends. It doesn’t matter what age you are because anything could happen to anyone.”
The theme this year is ‘Plan for Tomorrow, Live for Today’.
The development of an advance care plan includes the nomination of a medical treatment decision maker.
Ms Ord encouraged people to get legal advice but there were staff happy to help at the hospital.
“Social workers are available five days week and all people need to do is ring up Armidale Hospital and ask for us,” Ms Ord said.
For more information, visit advancecareplanning.org.au.