Module 2: Direct Comprehensive Primary Care in the LTC Setting
60 2.7.3 Advance Care Planning
Integrating a palliative approach includes engaging in Advance Care Planning (ACP) conversations with the person living with chronic diseases at the time of diagnosis. Many LTC residents face declining decision-making capacity due to rising cognitive decline rates, underscoring the importance of early ACP discussions.
Benefits of ACP:
- ACP discussions help residents reflect on their values and wishes for future care and sharing them with trusted individuals
- ACP is not same as completion of one time level of care form/advance directives
- ACP discussions are crucial in care plans, lead to better resident outcomes, enhanced care satisfaction & reduced hospitalizations[1][2][3][4][5]