IAN and Bronte Treloar are firm advocates of advance care directives.

The well-known Moree couple firmly believe healthcare choices matter – and National Advance Care Planning Week from March 17-23 heightens the need to make appropriate plans so end-of-life wishes are known and respected.

Ian, a retired farmer and contract fencer, turns 81 next week.

He’s suffered chronic back pain for seven years – a legacy of hard work over a long period of time – but is upbeat and energetic.

Bronte is Ian’s carer.

“That takes a bit of doing,” Ian chuckles.

Both have advance care directives in place, and that means when the time comes, they can farewell family and friends the way they want. On their terms.

Ian’s back gives him merry hell, but knowing everything is documented offers peace of mind.

A few years ago, when Ian’s back said ‘no more’, there were frequent hospital visits – locally and away.

“We’ve had a few hospital events, and three that were lengthy. One was during Covid and Bronte was allowed in the hospital at Newcastle for one hour a day, and the others were here and Tamworth,” Ian said.

“I’m 81 next week, and I don’t want to go anywhere anymore.”

Having an advance care directive in place gives Ian that important choice.

“I’ve had enough of being away. I’ve travelled this great country extensively, but I don’t want to go away medically; I don’t want to leave town again, if I get ill,” he said.

“I’m quite happy to stay here, and put up with the consequences.”

Ian and Bronte believe “having everything in order” is a sensible approach.

“My GP suggested I have a care plan. We read all the available information and talked about it,” Ian said.

“We also told our children, Suzie and Mark, we were thinking about it. Neither had any objections, and that’s when we decided this is what we wanted to do.

“Another reason we did this now, is because we are both mentally strong and have the capacity – that’s very important,” Ian said.

“I’m very, very happy with the arrangements, and to my knowledge there’s nothing I need to add.”

Ian put his directive in place three years ago, with the invaluable help of Moree Community Health palliative care clinical nurse consultant Fiona Lysaught.

There’s been some fine-tuning along the way.

“Being able to add or change things to a person’s directive is one of the great things about them,” Fiona said.

“Ian is well, and being seen by palliative care. Ian, Bronte and myself created Ian’s advance care directive and it was later updated to include his wish to remain in Moree for treatment should he get ill.

“Being able to change a directive to suit circumstances is a key feature,” she said.

Bronte completed her advance care directive only recently.

“I think it’s very important,” Bronte said.

“These directives mean we’ve made our own decisions. I think it’s great we’ve got these choices and that we know what the choices are, and how they can be used.

“To me, it’s security,” she said.

Bronte said the process was straightforward, with plenty of clear, unfettered information available.

“The website has a lot of good information. I could print it out and read it, rather than sit at the screen. The website is very user-friendly and we didn’t find it all that difficult.

“We also had Fiona guiding us every step of the way, and we can’t thank her enough for her support and kindness,” Bronte said.

Fiona said National Advance Care Planning Week aims to lift awareness about an important chapter in life.

“Advance care planning is not often taken up, but advance care directives are such a huge asset when decision-making is needed most, and at the time of death,” Fiona said.

“Planning in advance helps doctors, ambulance paramedics, healthcare providers, and especially families, to make sure the care you get is what you wanted.

“Paramedics suggest the elderly or unwell should place a copy of their advance care directive on the back of the front door, so it’s easy to find if needed, especially when someone gets really unwell, or are taken to emergency often,” she said.

“My late sister-in-law and I wrote hers when she was unwell. It enabled her to talk about what she wanted. This included dying at home, which we were able to make happen.

“Doing advance care directives while people are well offers the best of outcomes. Some people say it’s like giving a gift to your family because they don’t have to make the hard decisions – they’ve already been made,” Fiona said.

Fiona firmly believes advance care directives should be put in place early in life. She is using National Advance Care Planning Week to advise people of the choices available and to get the message out.

“It’s a hard thing for people to talk about, but I think it’s very important,” Fiona said.

“Directives can be amended and updated as circumstances change, and there are people that can help fill them out, including our team at the hospital.”

Advance care planning ensures wishes and preferences regarding health-care are respected, especially when communication is restricted or non-existent.

Planning embraces open and honest conversations with family, friends, and healthcare professionals about values, beliefs, and preferences for future care.

Healthcare professionals agree taking tough healthcare calls with advance care planning isn’t easy.

But it eases the burden on healthcare providers and loved ones, and ensures patients’ wishes are known, respected and carried out.

Advance Care Planning Australia national manager, Dr Catherine Joyce, said in an Advance Care Planning Week blog, only one in three Australians aged 40 or older recognise the term “advance care planning”.

“But once it’s been explained to them, seven out of ten feel positive about it,” Dr Joyce said.

“That means, although many people have not taken the important steps that could make a profound difference later in life, many will recognise how important it is, and will be open to doing so with a little information and support.

“Advance care planning can give peace of mind, knowing that wishes and preferences have been expressed and can be used to guide care decisions if a person can’t speak for themselves,” she said.

It can also ease the burden for loved ones, giving them confidence to make decisions in ways that honour their loved one’s wishes and preferences.

“Advance care planning can improve the quality of care at the end of life, supporting care that is in line with a person’s wishes and preferences, and avoiding unwanted medical interventions,” Dr Joyce said.

Free advance care planning packs are available by calling 1300 208582 or visiting Advance Care Planning Packs

Further information is available here: Advance Care Planning and Conversations

Words and Image: Bill Poulos