23/10/2026
There are some inevitable subjects that we don’t want to think about. The Reading Room recently provided the opportunity to be part of the gentle conversation of advanced healthcare planning.🩺
Follow the link below to listen to the program. For the resource links visit LRH’s original post.
Have you talked to your loved ones about your future healthcare wishes?
It’s not always an easy conversation, but planning ahead can help make sure your wishes are known if you’re ever too unwell to make decisions for yourself.
LRH nurse Meg Day recently joined Suzanne on Gippsland FM Reading Room to talk about advance care planning and why it’s important to start the conversation while you’re well.
“Do it when you're well. Don't wait until you're in medical crisis. Don't wait until you're feeling unwell,” Meg said.
“Sometimes with family, we might need to open the door to a conversation, then revisit it in a few weeks or months when everyone’s had a chance to think about it.”
Advance care planning lets you record your values, beliefs and preferences for future medical treatment, and appoint someone you trust to make medical treatment decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so yourself.
And it’s not just about end-of-life care. An unexpected accident, heart attack or serious illness could leave you temporarily unable to communicate your wishes.
Talking with your family and loved ones about what matters most to you can help them understand your wishes and feel more confident if they ever need to make decisions on your behalf.
"Would my loved ones know what sort of decisions I want made? If I couldn't make that decision for myself, would they know what I want, not what they want?” Meg said
A simple conversation today could make a big difference in the future.
Find out more about advance care planning through the Victorian Department of Health and the Office of the Public Advocate.
Listen here and select September 28 2026: www.gippslandfm.org.au/program-guide/reading-room
Go to the comment section to find a bunch of resources:
