Why Advance Care Planning Is Worth Doing

Advance care planning tends to sit in the same mental basket as sorting your Will or setting up your Kiwisaver—something for “later.” But here’s the thing: planning ahead when life is calm is exactly when it’s easiest to do.

Advance Care Planning (ACP) is about writing down what matters to you—so if something unexpected happens and you can’t speak for yourself, your preferences are still clear. It’s not just for people who are unwell or older. It’s for anyone who wants to make life easier for their family and ensure their care reflects what they value most.

 

It’s not complicated—and while it’s not a legal document, it’s still important

Advance care planning isn’t a legal document. But it can be added to your medical records, and it’s incredibly useful for guiding both health decisions and legal planning.

It’s a personal record of your preferences around care and decision-making. It can cover things like:

• The types of treatment you’d want—or want to avoid

• Who you trust to speak for you if you can’t

• What helps you feel calm, connected, or supported

• Where you’d prefer to be cared for

Some people write their plan. Others make a video or talk it through with family. The format doesn’t matter. What matters is that it exists—and that the right people know where to find it.

If we’re helping you with your Enduring Powers of Attorney, having your ACP available can also give us clearer guidance on how to draft those documents in line with your values. It’s not legal in itself—but it helps everything else work better.

 

Why it’s worth doing

When someone becomes seriously unwell or injured and hasn’t made their preferences clear, their family is often left guessing. That’s when decisions become more difficult—and sometimes, more distressing.

A good ACP takes that weight off. It removes doubt. It makes sure your care is guided by the things that matter to you.

Even if the plan is never needed, it’s there if it is. And that peace of mind—both for you and your loved ones—is worth a lot.

 

How it fits alongside your legal planning

Advance care planning works best when paired with formal legal tools like Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA). The two complement each other:

• An ACP captures your preferences and values

• An EPA gives someone legal authority to act for you if needed

We often recommend that clients complete both. If you’ve already appointed an attorney, your ACP helps them feel confident about acting on your behalf. If you haven’t, we can help you get everything in place.

 

What to do with your plan once it’s done

Once you’ve completed your ACP, it’s important to share it:

• Keep a copy somewhere easy to find

• Share it with your family—especially anyone who might speak on your behalf

• Give a copy to your GP or health provider (they can often upload it to your medical file)

If we’re working with you on your Will or EPA, we’re happy to store a copy with your legal documents too.

 

Final thought

Advance Care Planning isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about preparing for it in a way that makes things easier for the people who matter most—and helps ensure your care reflects your values. Get in touch.