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, end of life, living arrangements and personal matters and/or
• appoint one or more Substitute Decision-Makers to make these decisions on their behalf when they are unable to do so themselves.

An Advance Care Directive gives those who care for an individual (family members or otherwise) a clear understanding of that person’s needs and wishes should the individual lose the ability to communicate them. Advance care directives are for people of all ages - not just seniors.

The new Advance Care Directive replaces the existing

• Enduring Power of Guardianship
• Medical Power of Attorney
• Anticipatory Direction

If you have already completed an Enduring Power of Guardianship, a Medical Power of Attorney or an Anticipatory Direction, these are still legally effective, unless you complete the new Advance Care Directive Form.

An Advance Care Directive can be completed online at the Advance Care Directives website http://www.advancecaredirectives.sa.gov.au/ The 12-page form can also be downloaded from the website (without cost).

For more information, contact Council’s Community Development Manager on 8892 0100 or council@goyder.sa.gov.au.