Derry City & Strabane

Plan Ahead – Advance Care Planning

Advance Care Planning is for anyone 18 years + who has the mental capacity to make decisions about future care plans.

Advance Care Planning is important for adults, at all stages of life to ensure people important to them and the people looking after them know their wishes.

Plans are only activated when a person loses mental capacity to make decisions or their ability to communicate their wishes. It is important to make plans before a health crisis which may be a sudden event or a gradual deterioration in health..

It is important to regularly review your Advance Care Plan to reflect changes in personal circumstances that may impact your wishes. Planning happens through talking about what you want and don’t want with people important to you, and people who provide care, support or treatment. Plans are not set in stone, you can change your plans at any time.

In October 2022, the Department of Health launched a regional Advanced Care Policy for Adults outlining four key components personal, legal, financial, and clinical. Each component reflects a different aspect of Advance Care Planning and there is some overlap between them.

Some components will require that you speak to professionals such as your health care provider, maybe your GP, a solicitor, a financial advisor, or a faith leader. Critically important is to start to have the conversation with those closest to you.

Personal, Honouring What Matters Most to You

It is individual to each person, it’s what matters most to you, that is your beliefs, values and wishes and important relationships.

Your values, beliefs, and life goals should be at the heart of your care.
Reflect on what quality of life means to you.
Consider where you’d want to receive care—at home, in a hospital, or elsewhere.
Discuss your preferences with loved ones and choose someone you trust to act on your behalf.

These conversations help ensure your care aligns with your wishes.

Financial, Planning for the Costs of Care and Beyond

This can include matters relating to your home, your wider estate, perhaps your business, your livelihood and it might also include payment for healthcare needs or your funeral.

Thinking ahead about finances can ease the burden during difficult times.
Review your income sources, insurance, savings, and pensions.
Consider the costs of long-term care, home support, and medical expenses.
Prepare a financial plan or speak to a financial advisor.
Appoint a Power of Attorney to help manage your property or finances if you're unable to do so.

Good financial planning ensures your affairs are managed smoothly and according to your values.

Clinical: Making Informed Health Care Decisions

This includes conversations with your health care team about your future care around resuscitation, ventilation, or Organ Donation.

Talk to your doctor about your health status and what the future might hold.
Ask about treatments you may or may not want, such as resuscitation, ventilation, or feeding tubes.
Document your choices in a clinical care plan.

This ensures health care providers follow your wishes, especially in emergencies or during serious illness

Legal: Putting Your Wishes in Writing

Legal documents protect your choices and guide those who care for you.

Create or update your Will to express how your assets should be distributed.
Complete an Advance Directive to Refuse Treatment to document your health care preferences.
Assign a Power of Attorney to someone you trust to advocate on your behalf regarding matters relating to medical decisions.

Make sure these documents are valid, accessible, and shared with those who need them.

Start the Conversation Today

Advance Care Planning is not just for the elderly or those with serious illness—it's for everyone. It’s a gift to your loved ones, offering clarity during times of uncertainty.

Need help getting started?

Please see below agencies/organisations that can best help you to Plan Ahead

Plan Ahead