Planning ahead

This video will provide you with an overview of different aspects you can consider when thinking ahead to the future.

Advance Care Planning

In 2022, the Department of Health (DOH) launched the Advance Care Planning: For Now and For the Future document for all adults in Northern Ireland.  It explains why Advance Care Planning is important and how it can help people make timely, realistic and practical plans for their future.

Advance Care Planning is an umbrella term covering personal, legal, clinical, and financial planning. Advance Care Planning is important for all adults, at whatever stage of life.  It is also recommended to regularly review decisions and choices to make sure they reflect your current wishes and circumstances.

The DOH website  Advance Care Planning: For Now and For the Future | Department of Health (health-ni.gov.uk) gives more information on the different areas people could consider. There is information in different formats including various languages, sign language, braille and easy read guides.

This video gives an overview about Advance care planning information on the DOH website

Advance Care Planning is voluntary. People can pick and choose what areas are important to them.

To give people more practical information, this booklet, ‘Your Life, Your choices: Plan Ahead’ was created for Northern Ireland.  It explains how you can plan for your future care and discusses creating an Enduring Power of Attorney, writing an Advance Care Plan, and Advance Decisions to Refuse Treatment. It also covers making a will, organ and tissue donation, and funeral planning and provides useful templates and checklists.

You can download a copy of the booklet from the Macmillan website: Your life and your choices: plan ahead (macmillan.org.uk), or contact your local Macmillan Information and Support Services or Macmillan Support line on 0808 808 00 00 for a paper copy.