Think Ahead Community Residential Network

August 28th 2014

Aine Mc Cambridge/Lianne Reddy

Why Think Ahead?

What is Think Ahead?

THINK, TALK, TELL……

• Think Ahead Form: A facility to record your will and preferences in the event of emergency, serious illness or death

…….RECORD, REVIEW

• Regardless of your age, stage of life or

level of health, it encourages you to:

• THINK about how well those close to

you would know or understand your

wishes if a time came when you could

not speak for yourself because of

illness.

• TALK about these wishes with those

close to you and with professionals

such as a GP, solicitor or accountant.

TELL the most relevant people in your

life about your wishes and record them

so that they can be available if at some

stage, for whatever reason, you are

unable to speak for yourself.

• RECORD AND REVIEW

Sections of TA Form

Section 1 – Key Information

Provides key information about you that can inform your treatment and care in an emergency.

Section 2 – Care Preferences

How would you like to be cared for if hospitalised? Are there religious or cultural preferences that staff should consider in caring for you?

Section 3 – Legal

You legal affairs. Will? Enduring Power of Attorney?

Sections of TA Form

Section 4 – Financial

This section makes it easier for your family or executors to arrange your financial affairs after your death.

Section 5 – When I Die

What are your preferences for what happens when you die? Would you like to be an organ donor? What about your funeral or burial?

Section 6 – Sharing of Information

How would you like your information to be shared?

GP Pilot Study

• GP Pilot study was completed by Dr Brendan O’Shea involving four GP practices in Dublin and 100 patients up to 70 years of age. This paper was published in the May 2014 issue of the Irish Medical Journal

• Positive outcomes for Patients and GPs

- 83% of patients reported initiating discussions with family members, and high acceptability to patients (completed some or all of it).

- When asked if they found it to be upsetting to complete, 74% indicated it was not upsetting.

END-OF-LIFE PLANNING NURSING HOMES

• Controlled trial / waiting list / mixed methods

• Educational Intervention using Think Ahead

• 5 Intervention and 3 control Nursing Homes

• Key Outcome – Documentation EoL Planning

Intervention

Interactive NH Workshop, using Think Ahead

Dr Deborah Martin Dr Joe Marry, Dr Hugh Brady, Dr Connor Gallagher, Prof Catherine

Darker

Think Ahead and You

Advance Care Planning

•Positive affect on medical care before death (fewer aggressive interventions, like resuscitation, ventilation)

•Improved quality of life/acceptance for the patient

•Can enable access to palliative care

•Makes the adjustment process better for the surviving caregivers.

Thank You

Advance Healthcare Directives

What is it?

An advance healthcare directive is a written statement

made by a person with capacity (the ability to

understand information and make decisions) setting out

their preferences about medical treatments that might

be needed at a time when they cannot speak for

themselves.

12 Things You Should Know

1. They are recognised under common law (in the

courts) at the moment, but there has been no

legislation.

2. Under the new law, any adult who has capacity

can prepare an Advance Healthcare Directive.

3. An Advance Healthcare Directive must be in

writing, and must be witnessed.

4. They can be revoked at any time while you have capacity, either verbally or in writing. They can also be amended at any time, but that must be done in writing.

5. No one can be forced to make one. They are not compulsory.

6. The fact it has to be witnessed is geared to prevent people from being forced into a certain decision.

7. You can nominate a person who will be allowed

to speak for you when you lose capacity and

ensure that your wishes are respected.

8. An advance healthcare directive only comes

into force if you lose capacity and cannot make

a decision.

9. Having an Advance Healthcare Directive helps healthcare professionals to care for you in the way you would like.

10.Having an Advance Healthcare Directive will save your loved ones having to decide what they think you would want.

11.If there is any doubt about an Advance Healthcare Directive, a person can go to the courts.

12.This is not euthanasia or assisted suicide.

These acts are illegal in Ireland.

Think about it……

…..what would you want?

…..does anyone know?

Thank you