People are to get more help planning what they want if they lose the ability to make decisions for themselves in the future about their finances, power of attorney, guardianship and advance health care.
NSW Minister for Ageing and Disability Services, Kristina Keneally, today launched the latest information package from The Benevolent Society, Your Future Starts Now, an important guide not only for the elderly, but for people in their 50’s and 60’s.
"Your ability to make your own decisions can be affected by a range of things including an accident, an illness or a disability - any one of these can take away the control you have over your own affairs," Ms Keneally said.
"Your Future Starts Now is an important and simple guide to help people plan ahead and take control of the decisions that will affect them in the future, whether they be financial, health, medical or lifestyle choices.
"While I appreciate the subject is confronting for many, it’s empowering to deal with it – Your Future Starts Now will help people get the medical care, guardianship and power of attorney arrangements they want if they can’t make the decision at a crucial time.
"It’s important that people start these conversations with family members sooner rather than later – this is about making sure people can take control of their own future, and reducing the chance of a family member trying to guess what you would want."
Ms Keneally said planning for the future and providing access to information to plan and make informed choices was one of the issues raised as part of the Ageing 2030 Roundtable.
"I recently convened Ageing 2030 - Creating the Future, a roundtable focused on the changes and opportunities that population ageing will bring to NSW," Ms Keneally said.
"We want people to have the tools to make informed choices in relation to legal, health, financial and community services, and through this guide The Benevolent Society is making a great contribution to the NSW Government’s aims.
"Thanks to their good work, there is now a way to protect your interests in the future and you should start now because Your Future Starts Now.
Ms Keneally said that copies of the guide were available from www.bensoc.org.au or by calling 02 9339 8000