Future care planning helps you manage changes in your life, health and care. It is particularly helpful if you:
- are living with frailty
- have one or more long-term health conditions or a serious illness
- have disabilities
- have health, care or support needs
- are an older person needing regular help and support
- are a carer for someone else
- are a young person or the parent or carer of a child or young
- person with a serious health condition or disabilities
Start thinking ahead when you’re well
Future care planning and knowing how to get the right help means there’s less to think about if you become unwell. It’s better to start thinking ahead like this when you’re well.
Having these conversations and making a plan of what matters to you can help you manage changes in your health and wellbeing, have a clear plan of what your wishes are of what to do when your health deteriorates, you become ill or need help in an emergency. It also lets people know what you would like to be able to do now and in the future and also record anything that you didn’t want to happen. This allows the people who are planning your care and treatment know what is important to you now and in the future.
Future care plans are not legal documents but are a good way to capture what is important to you and will support your loved ones if you become unwell and they need support to make decisions about your treatment and care. They can help guide discussions and decisions about your care and treatment.
Future care planning | NHS inform
Power of Attorney
This is a written document that gives someone else legal authority to make decisions on another person’s behalf if and when they are unable to make decisions for themselves. Anyone over 16 years of age can make a Power of Attorney and it lasts until it is withdrawn. More information can be found by visiting the link below.
Advance Care Planning
Is a process which helps you and your family to make healthcare decisions when things may become stressful and difficult. Anticipatory Care Planning helps you to plan your future healthcare, taking into account your wishes. More information can be found by visiting the link below.
Advance Care Planning - Gold Standards Framework
DNA CPR
Your wishes are important. It is therefore necessary for healthcare professionals to talk with patients regarding their wishes when they are suffering with illness or approaching end of life. For further information about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and DNACPR visit the Scottish Government website by using the link below.
Age Scotland
More information is also available from Age Scotland UK on matters concerning care planning using the link below.
