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What is Advance Care Planning?
Planning ahead helps ensure your wishes are understood if you're unable to make decisions in the future.
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It can include thinking about what is important to you in your life and care, your preferences around treatment and support, where you would prefer to be cared for, and who you would like to speak for you if you’re unable to make decisions.
Advance Care Planning is not just about medical decisions. It is about making sure your voice is heard and respected.
It all starts with a conversation
Often, Advance Care Planning begins with a simple conversation. This might be with a loved one, a healthcare professional, or one of our experienced team members.
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At Beaumond House Hospice, these conversations happen every day. We gently support patients and their families to talk openly about their wishes and concerns, explore what matters most to them, and plan ahead with confidence and clarity.
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We understand that these conversations can feel difficult or emotional. That’s why we take the time to listen, guide and support you at your own pace.
Why it matters
Having these conversations early can help reduce uncertainty and stress for you and those close to you. It can ensure your care reflects your wishes, even if you cannot express them later, and give you a greater sense of control and peace of mind.
You may want to consider:
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what’s important to you in your care
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where you would prefer to be cared for
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who you trust to speak for you
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any treatments you would or wouldn’t want
Types of Advance Care Planning
There are various ways to record your wishes, it is down to what works best for you. These are some of the ways you can document your wishes:
Advance Decision to Refuse (ADT)
An Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADT) sometimes called a living will, is a way of recording specific medical treatments that you would not want to receive in the future if you were unable to make or communicate that decision yourself. It must name the treatment being refused and the circumstances in which the refusal would apply. If it relates to life-sustaining treatment, it must be written down, signed and witnessed, and clearly state that the decision applies even if your life is at risk.
An Advance Statement is a written record of your wishes, values, beliefs and preferences for future care. It can include where you would like to be cared for, what helps you feel comfortable, important routines, spiritual or cultural needs, and practical matters such as who should be contacted or who might look after a pet. Unlike an Advance Decision, it is not legally binding, but anyone making decisions about your care should take it into account.
Advance Statement
A ReSPECT plan is a personalised emergency care plan created through conversations between you, those important to you, and health and care professionals. It records what matters to you, what outcomes you would or would not want, and clinical recommendations for emergency situations if you were unable to make or express decisions at the time. It is not legally binding, but it helps professionals make decisions that are realistic, appropriate and centred on your wishes.
ReSPECT Plan
This is Me is a simple document that helps people share important information about themselves, especially if they may find it difficult to communicate their needs or preferences in the future. It can include details about personal history, routines, likes and dislikes, communication needs, and what helps someone feel calm and reassured. It is often used to support people living with dementia, but it can be helpful for anyone receiving care
This is Me
Advance Care Plan Day 2026
Thinking ahead. Giving peace of mind.
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Advance Care Plan Day is a national awareness campaign that encourages people to think about, discuss and record their wishes for future care. It is about making sure that, if there comes a time when you are unable to make decisions for yourself, the people around you understand what matters most to you.
Planning ahead can feel difficult, but it can bring reassurance and comfort for both you and those closest to you.
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