Advance care planning in long-term care facilities

J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2003 Mar-Apr;4(2):101-8. doi: 10.1097/01.JAM.0000052563.45932.FC.

Abstract

Residents of long-term care facilities are at risk of serious medical illnesses and being unable to express choices when difficult treatment decisions must be made. Advance care planning (ACP) allows residents to consider, make, and communicate their preferences for how medical decisions should be made if they are unable to participate in the decision-making process. This article reviews the three steps in ACP: consideration of options and expression of values, communication of decisions, and documentation of the choices. The article defines and describes the particular value of ACP in long-term care facilities, reviews the literature on successful ACP programs in long-term care, and concludes with practical suggestions on how to develop and implement ACP programs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Advance Care Planning / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Advance Care Planning / standards*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Choice Behavior
  • Decision Making
  • Homes for the Aged / organization & administration*
  • Homes for the Aged / standards
  • Humans
  • Long-Term Care / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Long-Term Care / standards*
  • Nursing Homes / organization & administration*
  • Nursing Homes / standards
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Patient Participation*
  • Personal Autonomy
  • Program Development
  • Terminal Care / organization & administration*
  • United States