Unit 2: Benefits of advance care planning

Ensures an individual’s preferences are known to those important to them and are recorded for health care professionals involved in their care. This provides comfort and increases the likelihood that their wishes are known and carried out.

Gives the individual receiving care a voice particularly if they may lose capacity to advocate for themselves in future. This promotes shared decision making and a sense of control over future care. The individual may also feel comforted that those important to them will not have to make these difficult decisions in future.

Provides an opportunity for a detailed discussion on the risks and benefits of different treatment options. This promotes realistic conversations about future care and treatments that may or may not work in specific circumstances. This will reduce the risk of any unwanted or unnecessary treatments or hospitalisations where this may not be in an individual’s best interests.

Early advance care planning supports the delivery of personalised care and implementation of the individual’s wishes and preferences for the future. This provides reassurance for staff knowing that the individual’s wishes will be followed should their health deteriorate.

Creates a less stressful, more positive work environment as nurses and other health care professionals can be confident, they are making care decisions with the individual’s wishes and preferences in mind.

Improves communication between everyone involved in the discussion and reduces the potential for misunderstandings, conflict, or disagreements regarding the individual’s future care.