I Anne Leditshke1, Therese Crispin, Jill Bestic. 1. MBBS FRACP FCICM MMgt, Senior Specialist Intensive Care, Canberra Hospital; Senior Lecturer, Australian National University Medical School; Canberra, ACT.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although most people have clear preferences with regard to end-of-life care, there is a disconnect between these preferences and what happens in practice. Advance care directives (ACDs) are a way of allowing people to plan ahead for any future loss in decision-making capacity, by allowing a systematic approach to decision making that respects the person's previously ex-pressed wishes. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews ACDs, considering, in particular, aspects of their use for patients in residential aged care. DISCUSSION: All people should be offered the opportunity to make an ACD as part of their routine care prior to any need for residential care. Once there is a need for residential care, advance care directives become even more important. Systems to ensure routine re-view of advance care directives and appropriate transfer of information between healthcare providers should be implemented by clinicians and residential aged care facilities.
BACKGROUND: Although most people have clear preferences with regard to end-of-life care, there is a disconnect between these preferences and what happens in practice. Advance care directives (ACDs) are a way of allowing people to plan ahead for any future loss in decision-making capacity, by allowing a systematic approach to decision making that respects the person's previously ex-pressed wishes. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews ACDs, considering, in particular, aspects of their use for patients in residential aged care. DISCUSSION: All people should be offered the opportunity to make an ACD as part of their routine care prior to any need for residential care. Once there is a need for residential care, advance care directives become even more important. Systems to ensure routine re-view of advance care directives and appropriate transfer of information between healthcare providers should be implemented by clinicians and residential aged care facilities.
Authors: Billingsley Kaambwa; Julie Ratcliffe; Sandra L Bradley; Stacey Masters; Owen Davies; Craig Whitehead; Catherine Milte; Ian D Cameron; Tracey Young; Jason Gordon; Maria Crotty Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2015-12-09 Impact factor: 2.655