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“Having a voice when it matters most”: Sue’s story about planning ahead
Sue wants all Australians to talk openly about their future health care, so their loved ones aren’t left facing difficult decisions alone.
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“A document that speaks in the silence”: Paul and Heather’s story of planning ahead
On 24 August 2025, Paul suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a community event. “It was completely unexpected,” he says. “One moment I was chatting, the next I was in emergency intensive care.”
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“It’s never too early”: Marie shares why planning ahead matters
“My parents never talked about what they wanted at the end of their lives, it was taboo. And when the time came, it was so hard to make the decisions that had to be made.”
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“You don’t know until you ask”: Christina’s story of care, clarity and planning ahead
“Don’t leave it to chance. Experts know medicine, but they’re not experts in you.”
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Tony’s end of life story
Tony's story shows how powerful advance care planning can be in the life of a person and their family when they're facing some of the hardest decisions.
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Graeme's story - A dementia diagnosis
After years of declining health, Graeme’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis still came as a blow to the family.
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Carol's story - A community of support: embracing life, friendship and independence
A few years ago, Carol was given a number of major health diagnoses that sparked the beginning of her advance care planning journey
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Christina wrote a plan she hoped she would never need - until she did
Christina was 68, two years into retirement and living the ‘sea change’ dream when she suffered a brain aneurysm at home.
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Facing the unexpected
Julie was introduced to advance care planning through her work in aged care. As her family lived through tumultuous life events, she experienced first hand the certainty and comfort planning ahead can provide
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Making decisions for someone else
Emma’s* mother, Helen, is an immaculate, statuesque woman who has always looked after her health, but for the past three years Helen has suffered from dementia. Emma says that being prepared and having a plan in place has made a huge difference.
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Respecting your values
The advance care planning process is flexible and allows people to revise the details of their advance care plan, including their substitute decision-maker, as needed.
