‘All About Me'

The purpose of the ‘All About Me’ document is to help the people who provide your care, and support, to understand about you and your needs.

It enables you, or your relatives and carers, to document important information about yourself and your life both past and present. As your needs change you should ensure that this document is updated.

This information should include:

- Important things that staff caring for you should know, for example, your preferred name, your date of birth and who they should speak to about your care. You may want to include information about life threatening conditions such as epilepsy or diabetes, any medical conditions you think people should be aware of or any allergies.

- Information about your daily routine such as how it is best to communicate with you, how you move around and how to tell if you’re in pain.

- What your likes and dislikes are such as whether you like to watch TV or read a book. Aspects of your past life that may affect how you feel now. What makes you happy and how you like your tea or coffee?

If you are unsure about advance care planning, advance directives or power of attorney the information below may help you.

• An Advance Care Plan – is a written record that lets people know about your views and wishes. Although not legally binding, an advance care plan is the easiest way to record your wishes.

• An Advance Directive – is a simple way to refuse certain treatments. This used to be called a ‘living will’.

• A Lasting Power of Attorney – is a person you trust who you choose to act on your behalf with your finances or make decisions about your health care if you are unable to.

• ‘All About Me’ belongs to you and any staff caring for you should make a copy and return it to you so that you can take it home.

If you are attending the hospital for an appointment, going to see your GP, dentist or optician then you should take this with you. It may help those people care for you more effectively and make your experience better.

Copies of ‘All About Me’ can be downloaded here.