Plan Ahead
Who would speak for you if you couldn’t speak for yourself? What would they say? Each year Plan Ahead Week draws attention to the importance of thinking about your financial, health, legal and personal wishes and how you can make sure they’re known and respected.
Accidents, illness or death can happen at any time so it’s important to talk to your loved ones about your wishes and document them.
Complete the legal tools available so your loved ones will know your choices, and act upon them if you cannot express yourself at some time in the future.
Thinking about your future and making your wishes known in advance can help reduce family stress and conflict during times of crisis.
Speak for yourself. Make your wishes clear and protect against abuse.
Remember to give certified copies of your documents to your loved ones, your GP, your legal team and your local hospital.
How do I Plan Ahead?
Advance Care Directives
An Advance Care Directive is a legal form that allows people over the age of 18 years to:
- Write down their wishes, preferences and instructions for future health care, living arrangements, personal matters and end of life
- Appoint one or more substitute decision-makers to make these decisions on their behalf when they’re unable to do so themselves.
Visit the Advance Care Directives website to download, print or complete your Advance Care Directive online.
Alternatively, you can collect a free Advance Care Directive Kit from Service SA or have it delivered (postage fees apply) or pick up from selected local public libraries.
For free legal advice, phone the Legal Services Commission on 1300 366 424.
For further information including helpful fact sheets phone the Office of the Public Advocate’s Information Service on (08) 8342 8200 or visit the Advance Care Directives page of the Office of the Public Advocate website.
Office for Ageing Well and Health Services Programs, SA Health is collaborating with local government areas to provide information sessions and/or workshops to assist people with the information they need to complete their own Advance Care Directive.
Find a session near you:
- City of Victor Harbor, District Council of Yankalilla and Alexandrina Council
- Rural City of Murray Bridge, Coorong and Mid Murray Council regions
- City of Onkaparinga, City of Marion, City of Mitcham and City of Holdfast Bay
- Adelaide Hills Council and District Council of Mount Barker
- City of Charles Sturt, City of West Torrens and City of Port Adelaide Enfield
Enduring Power of Attorney
Making an Enduring Power of Attorney means your financial affairs can be looked after by someone you know and trust and continue to operate even if you become legally incapacitated, and decisions need to be made on your behalf.
You cannot make a power of attorney after you have become legally incapacitated. You can cancel your enduring power of attorney at any time, as long as you still have legal capacity.
The Legal Services Commission of South Australia has Enduring Power of Attorney Kits available to purchase for $22. The Kit includes the forms you’ll need and explains how to complete and use them. Visit the website for further information.
The Public Trustee provides Will making and Enduring Power of Attorney services to eligible concession holders or those subject to administration or guardianship orders issued by SACAT or the Courts. For further information and to check your eligibility, please visit the website.
Will
Make a Will and nominate who you want your property and possessions (your ‘estate’) to go to after your death.
There is no legal requirement that a solicitor must prepare a Will, but using a legal professional will make sure your Will is legal and reduce the possibility of it being contested or challenged.
If you don’t have a legal Will, South Australian laws determine how your property or ‘estate’ will be divided.
The Legal Services Commission of South Australia provides free information and legal advice on Wills. Or you could engage a private lawyer.
Organ and tissue donation
You can record your wishes regarding organ and tissue donation by registering at DonateLife or on your SA driver's licence. All you need is your Medicare card. Registering is voluntary. It is important to talk with your family and those close to you about your decision.
More information can be found on the DonateLife website.