Taking care of business (A4) (PDF) - Seniors Information Service

LeanneLeanne is 35 years old and has uncontrolled diabetes. She is marriedwith three children – a five year old, a two year old and a six-montholdbaby.Having her last baby really put a strain on her kidneys. With hersugars all over the place, the doctor has said it won’t be long, maybeanother three years, and she’ll be on dialysis. He’s also warned therecould be other complications like strokes and heart attacks.Leanne and her husband have decided it’s important to look at theirfamily’s future and how Leanne’s health could affect them.When they told their doctor of their concerns he talked to them aboutan advance care directive (sometimes called a living will). He toldthem that Leanne could say how she would like to be treated if a timecame when she couldn’t make those decisions herself.Once Leanne and her husband put the advance care directivetogether they had it signed by an appropriate witness.Knowing that her husband and doctor are aware of what kind ofhealth care she wants in the future should she become unable tomake decisions for herself makes Leanne feel at ease. She knowsthat for now she can just focus on her children and whatever happenswith her health in the future is already taken care of.Planning Ahead in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities15