Young South Australian woman Annaliese Holland, who is preparing for major high-risk surgery, has spoken about the importance of advance care planning. The 25-year-old was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease and terminal illness several years ago. Ms Holland wants young people to have more open conversations about death and end-of-life care.
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00:00After a 12-year battle with a terminal illness, Anneliese Holland is taking back power over
00:07her health care.
00:08And I think throughout this whole journey I've lost control of everything and it's
00:12my time to be able to make those decisions instead of someone else.
00:17Diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease and terminal illness several years ago, the 25-year-old
00:22is now preparing for high-risk surgery.
00:24This led her to complete an advanced care directive and outline her end-of-life preferences,
00:30something she says everyone should consider, not just the elderly or unwell.
00:34We all don't know when death is around the corner or even just illness.
00:40I didn't even see it coming.
00:42The process also involves preparing a will and appointing a power of attorney.
00:47To make an advanced care directive you can pick up a hard copy kit like this or fill
00:51out an online form, then share a certified copy with your care providers.
00:56A way for you to signal what you want your health care outcomes to be, what you want
01:01for your end of life.
01:03Ms Holland wants to see more conversations around planning for death.
01:07Having these conversations are so important and to get rid of the stigma and the confronting
01:14topic, it never gets easier.
01:18Important conversations for everyone.