Planning ahead for legal and practical matters

You can live for many years with metastatic cancer, but many people find it puts their mind at rest to have medical plans in place and sort out legal and practical matters, even though they still hope to live for a long time.

What’s involved in planning ahead?

Thinking about how you feel about different types of medical treatment, including if you want to stop treatment at any stage or carry on for as long as possible.

Writing an advance care directive. This is where you can write down your wishes about your medical care. Doctors can use this if you are not well enough to say what you want.

Picking someone to make medical decisions for you if you're not well enough to decide (this person is called your ‘patient-designated healthcare representative’). 

Making a will. 

Thinking about any preferences you have about the end of your life, such as whether you prefer to stay at home, or if you think you would like to stay in a hospital or hospice.

Talking to your family, friends, carers and healthcare providers about what you want.

Help with planning ahead

Think Ahead pack

Think Ahead is a planning pack with different sections and easy-to-read forms. You can fill in your personal, medical, financial and legal information and preferences. It’s available from the Irish Hospice Foundation at www.hospicefoundation.

ThinkAhead.ie

Thinking Ahead - Money Matters and Serious Illness

This is a helpful guide to financial matters for people with a serious illness, published by the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).

The guide covers making a will, giving power of attorney, and dealing with bank accounts.
 
If you have any questions about planning ahead or want emotional support, you could talk to the medical social worker at the hospital or one of our cancer nurses – call our Support Line or visit a Daffodil Centre. 

Visit ThinkAhead.ie