The document discusses Think Ahead, a form that allows people to record their healthcare preferences and wishes in the event they become unable to communicate themselves due to illness or incapacity. The form covers key personal information, care preferences, legal affairs, financial matters, end of life wishes, and information sharing preferences. It encourages people to think about and discuss their wishes with loved ones and healthcare providers. A pilot study found most patients found completing the form not upsetting and that it initiated important family discussions. The form aims to improve medical care and quality of life for patients, as well as the adjustment process for surviving family members.

1. Think Ahead
Community Residential Network
August 28th 2014
Aine Mc Cambridge/Lianne Reddy

2. Why Think Ahead?

3. 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

4. • Regardless of your age, stage of life or
level of health, it encourages you to:

5. • 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.

6. • TALK about these wishes with those
close to you and with professionals
such as a GP, solicitor or accountant.

7. 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

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.

13. Thank You

14. Advance Healthcare Directives

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 12.This is not euthanasia or assisted suicide.
These acts are illegal in Ireland.

21. Think about it……
…..what would you want?
…..does anyone know?
Thank you