DementiaRoadmap

Promoting living well with dementia across Scotland
End of Life → Advance care planning

Advance care planning

There are a number of things that can be done to plan for care in the future. These are known collectively as ‘advance care planning’. Advance Decisions and Advance Statements enable individuals to make decisions about their views, preferences and wishes about future care before they are no longer able to and provide guidance to relatives and others supporting them.

Advance Care Planning is a process of discussion between the individual and those who provide care for them. There are sources of advice and templates on Advance Care Plans. The term ‘Living will’ is sometimes used to refer to Advance Statements.

Information
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Information

  • SIGN GuidelinesThe guideline covers: the identification and diagnosis of dementia, investigative procedures, post-diagnostic support, non-pharmacological distressed behaviours, grief and dementia, the changing needs of people with dementia, and palliative approaches.
  • Stress and DementiaInformation about the link between stress and dementia
  • Planning for your future careThis guidance published by the National Council for Palliative Care explains advance care planning to the public. It outlines the different options available to people when planning for their end of life care.
  • The dementia guideThis guide produced by the Alzheimer's Society is for anyone who has recently been told they have dementia.
  • RCGP Commissioning Guidance in End of Life CareThis guidance offers a logical six-step framework and overview to support GP commissioners to deliver practical improvements in end of life care, aligned with national policy and quality standards.
  • Matters of Life and Death: Helping people to live well until they dieThis guidance aims to support practitioners to implement the End of Life Care Patient Charter, jointly produced by the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Nursing.
  • Gold Standard Framework Prognostic Indicator GuidanceThis guidance aims to help GPs, clinicians and other professionals in earlier identification of those adult patients nearing the end of their life who may need additional support.
  • Making decisions: who decides when you can’t?This guidance published by the Office of the Public Guardian explains how the Mental Capacity Act 2005 affects anyone who is unable to make some or all decisions for themselves. It provides advice to help people to plan ahead in case they are unable to make and understand decisions in the future.
  • Making decisions: a guide for people who work in health and social careThis guidance published by the Office of the Public Guardian explains to health and social care workers how the Mental Capacity Act 2005 affects anyone who is unable to make some or all decisions for themselves.

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