Planning Ahead with Your Loved Ones
Apart from Advance Care Planning (ACP), there are other tools that can aid you and your loved ones in planning ahead should you lose mental capacity.
Why Do We Need to Plan Ahead?
We may take our ability to understand information, use the information to make decisions, and be able to communicate decisions, for granted when we are well. But there may come a time when your loved one no longer has the mental capacity make decisions for themselves, due to health conditions or other circumstances – where they are no longer able to tell you “yes” or “no” to what they want or don’t want. A loss of mental capacity can result from health conditions such as stroke, dementia, coma, or head trauma due to an accident.
How to Make Arrangements for Your Loved Ones?
While your loved one still has mental capacity, you can start a conversation with them to make arrangements for when they no longer have mental capacity, or when they have passed on.
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
A Lasting Power of Attorney gives you legal powers to make decisions for your loved ones when they can no longer do so. This includes decisions on their personal welfare, property, and affairs.
Without an LPA, you will need a court order to administer the wishes and affairs of a loved one, which can be costly and time-consuming. Find out more information on LPA here.
Advance Medical Directive (AMD)
In situations when your loved one suffers a grave illness that is incurable and likely to lead to end of life, an Advance Medical Directive makes a legal record that your loved one would not want excessive treatment just to keep them alive.
It can help guide doctors to let your loved one pass on with dignity. Learn more about AMDs here.
Will Planning
A will documents how your loved one would like to distribute their money and possessions (also called their estate) after they have passed on. Upon death, you and your family can apply to the Courts for a Grant of Probate to distribute the estate according to the will. If no will is made, the estate will be distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act or Inheritance Certificate (for Muslims).
Central Provident Fund (CPF) Nomination
Money from CPF does not form part of your loved one’s estate – this protects the fund from creditors and allows it to go directly to your loved one’s beneficiaries. CPF nomination is free of charge. Upon death, the CPF monies may be paid out via cash or cheque.
If no CPF nomination is made, you and your family may apply to the Public Trustee’s Office to distribute the CPF monies, for a fee. Find out more here.
Brain Bank Singapore
The Brain Bank Singapore is a joint partnership between Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) and the National Healthcare Group (NHG). It is set up to retrieve and store brain tissue from donors who have consented to give this gift for research after death.
Click here to read more if you or your loved ones are interested to become a donor.
What You Should Apply and Activate at Different Stages of Your Caregiving Journey
Start Your ACP Journey
Find an ACP facilitator near you using our Directory here.
Learn More
Click on the following pages to get more details on Advance Care Planning.
All About ACP
Advance Care Planning (ACP) is the process of planning for future health and personal care. It includes discussing one’s personal beliefs and goals for care with their loved ones and healthcare providers.
Simple Steps For ACP
Advance Care Planning begins with your loved ones having an open conversation with you about their wishes and goals for care.
Other Ways To Plan Ahead
Apart from Advance Care Planning (ACP), there are other tools that can aid you and your loved ones in planning ahead should you lose mental capacity.
FAQs on ACP
Here is a compilation of frequently asked questions about Advance Care Planning (ACP).
ACP Resources
Access our compilation of materials and an online booklet on Advance Care Planning here.
