Planning ahead

Caring takes a lot of focus and energy, and it can be hard to find time to plan for the future. However, planning ahead will help you and the person you care for manage changes and challenges more effectively. Information and support is available to help you plan.

It is advisable to sit down with the person you care for and discuss their views and preferences in a range of legal situations. These can be written down and referred to as needed in the future.

Discuss the views of the person you are caring for with close family members and friends and give them copies of any formal documentation. Letting people know in advance what a person wants in a particular situation can help prevent distress or conflict if different people have different views about what should be done.

Enduring Power of Attorney

Appointing a person to make financial decisions in the future can make difficult choices easier for you, the person you care for and the rest of your family when circumstances change.

Enduring Guardianship

Appointing a person to make health and lifestyle decisions on your behalf in the future may help to ensure that your needs and wishes are protected when your health declines.

Advance care planning

An important part of healthy ageing is planning for the future, ensuring your health care preferences, and the preferences of the person you care for, are known and respected when the times comes.

Emergency planning

Make sure that the person you care for is kept safe and well in case of an emergency.