Advance Care Planning
It may be possible for an illness to prevent you from expressing how you want to be treated to your doctors and nurses. Advance Care Planning provides peace of mind to your loved ones by ensuring that your future healthcare decisions are documented and shared with your caregivers and healthcare providers in the event that you are unable to communicate this yourself. Start a discussion with these simple steps:
- Meet with a trained ACP facilitator. You may ask your healthcare provider to refer you to one.*
- Discuss your idea of living well with the ACP facilitator and your loved ones.
- Choose a substitute (or proxy) decision-maker to be your voice when you are unable to speak for yourself. Your proxy decision-maker must be at least 21 years old. You may choose a relative, good friend or anyone whom you think will act in your best interests when you are no longer able to do so.
- Document your preferences with your ACP facilitator’s help.
- Review your ACP document when your medical condition or life circumstances change.
* You do not need a lawyer for Advance Care Planning (ACP). A trained ACP facilitator can walk you through the steps. You can also make changes to your preferences after the discussion.
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Advance Medical Directive
An Advance Medical Directive is a legal document that you sign in advance to inform your doctor that you do not wish to use any extraordinary life-sustaining treatment to prolong your life in the event of terminal illness or unconsciousness. To make an Advance Medical Directive, you must:
- Be above the age of 21 and be of sound mind.*
- Complete and sign the AMD form in the presence of two witnesses – your doctor and someone who is above the age of 21. Both witnesses cannot stand to gain anything from your passing.
- Be certified by 3 doctors (including your hospital doctor) that you are terminally ill. 2 of the doctors must be specialists.**
* You may cancel your AMD at any time by completing a form or submitting a letter to the Registrar of AMDs.
** For the AMD to take effect, these three doctors must be in agreement in certifying your condition. In the event of a disagreement between the doctors, the doctor-in-charge will review the case. Should the lack of agreement persist, the Ministry of Health will appoint three additional specialists to review your case.
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Lasting Power of Attorney
The Lasting Power of Attorney enables you to appoint someone you trust to decide and act on your behalf should you lose the mental ability to do so in the future, which may occur as a result of a stroke, mental illness, or accident.
You can appoint more than one person to be your donee. Your donee must be at least 21 years old and must not be bankrupt if you are appointing him/her for matters involving property and/or affairs. Your donee(s) can help you to act in the following areas:
- Your personal welfare
- Your property and affairs
- All of the above
You need to fulfil the following criteria if you wish to make an LPA:
- You must be at least 21 years of age
- You must possess the mental capacity to make your own LPA
- You must not be bankrupt if you are appointing a property and/or affairs donee
- You must register your LPA with the Office of Public Guardian for it to be legally valid
* The LPA should only apply when you are certified to be incapable of managing your own affairs. Should you regain your mental capacity, your donee should step aside to allow you to manage your own affairs.
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Planning a Will
A will is a legal document that describes your estate, which includes all your money, savings, and assets, and how it will be distributed among your beneficiaries after your death. It ensures that your loved ones are provided for according to your wishes after your death.
Wills made in Singapore are governed by the Wills Act. Although you do not need a lawyer to make a will, many people seek legal advice to avoid issues that could cause their homemade will to become invalid. Visit a free legal clinic to find out more.
* If you pass away without a will, your estate will be distributed based on the Interstate Succession Act. As such, your estate may not be distributed to people whom you wish to provide for after your death.
