Advance Care Planning (ACP) is the process of planning for one’s future health and personal care. Having ACP conversations will allow your loved one with dementia to:
- Share their personal values and beliefs with the family
- Explore how his/her values and beliefs influence their healthcare preferences in difficult medical situations
- Delegate a trusted member/relative to make healthcare decisions on their behalf, should he/she be unable to one day
Ideally, discussions about the person living with dementia should take place as early as possible, while your loved one with dementia still has the capacity to make informed choices and decisions.
Learn more about what ACP is. For more information, visit AIC.
Who Is Advance Care Planning For?
ACP is an important part of routine healthcare. Anyone can start their ACP today regardless of their age or health condition. Discussing and documenting healthcare preferences with loved ones and a healthcare team can give everyone peace of mind.
ACP is particularly important for people who have a chronic illness, an early cognitive impairment, frail, or are approaching the end of life.
ACP conversations: Mdm Jee
Source: Agency for Integrated Care
Mdm Jee chose her daughter as her voice. Through Advance Care Planning (ACP) conversations, her loved ones are informed about her personal values and how she wants to be cared for in the event that she is unable to think or speak for herself. This video shines a light on how ACP gave her loved ones peace of mind as they navigate the journey of caring for their mother.
Benefits of Advance Care Planning
Doing an ACP helps to promote more holistic healthcare:
• Patients receive healthcare that is tailored to their values and preferences. Many patients who have done their ACP avoided unnecessary or overly aggressive medical treatments.
• Families of people who have done their ACP experienced less anxiety, less stress, and were clearer about what decisions to make.
• The healthcare team has a better understanding of the quality of life you expect and can act in your best interests.
Importance of ACP conversation for dementia patient
Source: Agency for Integrated Care
A right conversation, at a right time, with the right people enable persons living with dementia and their loved ones to prepare for what lies ahead. This video explores a scenario where a family together works out the care plan of their loved one who has dementia.
Additional Resources
My Legacy
This is a Singapore government website which contains information on end-of-life planning. Their pages are available in English, Mandarin (中文), Malay (Melayu), and Tamil (தமிழ்).
• Find out more on making an Advance Care Plan.
• Find out more on planning ahead.
Are You Afraid Of Dying? | Can Ask Meh?
Source: Our Grandfather Story
In this video, interviewees share their journeys with their health conditions. They also discuss ACP and the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).