Canowindra Health Service is hosting two events to help the Canowindra and surrounding communities to consider their future and medical care and understand the importance of advance care planning. Canowindra Health Service Social Worker, Karen Ladlow said, “The events will be held as part of National Advance Care Planning Week 2019 at Canowindra Community Health Centre on Wednesday 3rd April at 2pm and Thursday 4th April at 6pm”.
“Event attendees will have the opportunity to discuss what living well means to them, learn how plans can be made today to provide a medical care road map for tomorrow and understand the other planning that is needed for future care arrangements,” said Karen.
“We want to help people prepare for a time when they may be too sick to speak for themselves and consider a scenario where family and doctors are left to make tough decisions. Advance care planning can give people a voice, ensuring they remain in the driver’s seat, regardless of what the future brings.
Everyone in Canowindra, Eugowra, Cudal and Gooloogong are invited to attend,” Karen said.
With an ageing population, advance care planning is becoming an increasing priority for both the community and health sector.
As it currently stands less than 15% of Australians have documented their preferences in an Advance Care Directive, despite the fact that 50% of people will be too unwell to make their own end-of-life decisions.