Advanced care planning is all about keeping you in control of your own healthcare even if you become unable to speak for yourself. We hope that everyone remains as well and healthy as possible but sometimes things change and it helps you, your family and those looking after you, if we know what you would like to happen. It is a huge burden for family members if they suddenly have to make important decisions on your behalf at a time when everyone is very stressed and worried. There are different ways you can help with this: 1) You may choose to discuss this with your kidney doctor, primary nurse or your GP. You may feel happy that this is enough for you and not wish to keep a formal record. Or you may ask the doctor to record your decisions on your behalf in your medical record. 2) You can discuss this with your family so that they are all aware of what you want to do. You can also consider appointing one member of your family to have enduring power of attorney (EPOA) for you for health and wellbeing. This would be particularly important if your family have different opinions and there is likely to be disagreement. Please do not be afraid to do this as EPOA only becomes active if you cannot speak for yourself. If you are still able to do so, your opinion will always be the first priority. 3) You may prefer to complete a form to document your wishes. There are examples of ones and information leaflets about it on this website http://www.advancecareplanning.org.nz/. This form can be held by you, your GP or in your hospital record. You can tear it up any time that you wish if you change your mind. Examples of some ways you might like to approach this: 1) “I have a great quality of life and want to have all possible life sustaining measures applied to me.” 2) “At present things are good for me and if I should collapse I would like brief attempts to re-start my heart. However, if that does not improve matters, then I don’t want to be taken to the Intensive Care Unit or to be put on a ”life support machine.” 3) “If I have a new illness that is going to leave me very dependent for my normal activities of daily living (such as eating, dressing, bathing etc) then I don’t want any new life prolonging treatment.” You may even want to state that in that situation you would like to stop dialysis. 4) “I feel that I have had a full life and feel that my health problems are now becoming a burden for me. If I should have a collapse then I would like nature to take its course and do not want people to interfere medically. Just keep me comfortable.” 5) “I want all life sustaining treatment while my partner is alive, but if they are not, then I would prefer nature to take its course.” These are just examples and you may have different ideas that are unique to you.

Kidney failure

Kidney stones

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in men Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women

www.kidneys.co.nz www.kidney.org.au www.kidney.org.uk www.kidneysociety.org.nz Kidney disease | Healthify www.renal.org/whatwedo/InformationResources/Patients.aspx www.edren.orgase

How to Cook for Life Recipe Book Renal Department, Whangārei Hospital This publication is part of the “How to” project. Renal Department, Whangārei Hospital. Cook for life - HE3095 – HealthEd BALANCED DIET – A total food intake that provides the recommended quantity from a wide range of foods from the five food groups. These are essential for good health, providing energy to maintain body weight. For those on haemodialysis, the potassium content of the diet is altered (lowered) to keep blood tests at acceptable. Life is busy. This cookbook will save time. It shows you what foods to choose and how to cook them. The aim is to take the stress out of meal decisions especially when a family member is following a plan for medical reasons. This book outlines simple steps to success ‘Plan, Select, Cook, Eat’. The recipes are based on family favourites. Take a closer look. Perhaps you have memories of the sharing and caring of some of the meals together. One or two recipes have been added that could be useful. When we are well, kidneys remove waste in urine. If kidneys stop working, then dialysis can take over. However, dialysis is only able to remove part of the waste. Therefore, the plan is a ‘diet’ that makes little waste. This cookbook shows you how. This book outlines simple steps to success ‘Plan, Select, Cook, Eat’. This book is a personal journey in Northland. It is a privilege that the Shelford Whanau are sharing this book with us all. Dedication to Brian Brett SHELFORD (aka Josh) Born 28.09.1954 - Died 27.04.2018 aged 63 Brian was a humble, gentle giant of a man and very family orientated. He loved music, enjoyed singing karaoke style and loved his food. With thanks: Renal Department, Northland DHB for supporting this new style of cookbook Northland Renal Education Trust Inc. The Auckland Kidney Society for the family-based recipe idea, enabling the photography and proof reading Northland DHB Te Poutokomanawa - Māori Health Service for encouragement Northland DHB Communications team Northland DHB dietitians for recipe testing Anton Ducrot for his artwork and Kim Ducrot for her typing and layout Editors Lisa Harvey-Jack and A J Hepburn Christine Frost for the photography. Thank you to the editors Reference: Cook for Life - Nestle and Nutrition Foundation Patient feedback. 1. www.5aday.co.nz 2. www.kidneys.co.nz 3. www.diabetes.org.nz 4. www.kidney.org.au