Never too early to speak for yourself and plan ahead
12 September 2022
South Australians are being encouraged to make their wishes clear as part of Plan Ahead Week, which begins today.
Plan Ahead Week, which runs from 12 - 18 September, encourages all adults to think about their financial, health, legal and personal wishes, and how they can ensure they are known and respected.
By documenting future wishes, people can be assured that their decisions will be heard and acted on, and their loved ones will not have to endure additional stresses in the case of a sudden accident, illness, or a debilitating condition.
Sharing preferences about finances, property, health care, family care and living arrangements can provide peace of mind should the unthinkable happen.
The Plan Ahead website contains links to a variety of legal tools for early planning, including an Advance Care Directive to plan future healthcare and accommodation needs, while Enduring Power of Attorney can be used to appoint someone to manage financial and legal affairs.
It also contains information on how to prepare a Will and register as an organ or tissue donor.
South Australians who have already taken action are also urged to remind themselves and others of the plans they’ve put in place.
For more information and to plan ahead, visit sahealth.sa.gov.au/planahead
Statement attributable to Director of Office for Ageing Well, Cassie Mason:
Plan Ahead Week aims to raise community awareness of the benefits of early planning, including safeguarding rights and protecting against abuse, whilst increasing the uptake and understanding of
Plan Ahead legal tools by adults at all stages of life.
While it can be difficult to think about bad things happening, sadly people do get sick and accidents do happen, which can affect memory and planning ability.
It’s never too early to plan ahead for the future and I encourage all adults to take action to safeguard their rights and wishes today.
Speak for yourself. Make your wishes clear and protect against abuse.