If you think your health is likely to get worse, it can help to talk and make plans for what is important to you, and your hopes and expectations for the future.
You can then record and share these discussions with the people involved in your care, and update them if there's anything you want to change.
Within NHS Scotland, planning for the future is usually called Future Care Planning and it involves talking about what you want or don’t want to happen in the future regarding any care you might need.
To do this properly, you’ll need to talk to your family, friends, any health or social care professionals you see regularly (eg doctor or nurse), and possibly a lawyer.
Check out the NHS Scotland official information on Future Care Planning here: NHS Inform Information on Future Care Planning
There are many aspects of Future Care Planning that you can start yourself, while other aspects might be brought up by a doctor or nurse if you become ill, or if your illness gets worse. Depending on your circumstances and wishes, Future Care Planning might include:
Your thoughts and preferences may change over time, and if so, it is important to let people know.
By having these conversations and agreeing to have them written down you are giving guidance, confidence and strength to those closest to you in case you become ill and they have to speak or make decisions for you.
This will help to reduce stress because you have planned your future care together.
Check out the NHS Scotland official information on Future Care Planning here: NHS Inform Information on Future Care Planning
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has some resources on planning your care here: NHS GGC Information on Planning your care