Advance care planning (ACP) is a process that takes place between a person, their care providers, and often their family or loved ones. It involves understanding, reflecting on, deciding and documenting a person’s preferences for future health and personal care.

This practice can be used in several situations, although it is particularly applicable to individuals who are at increased risk of declining health or losing capacity to make decisions in the near future. This often applies to, but is not limited to, individuals who have been diagnosed with a terminal or chronic illness, dementia, or those who are frail and elderly.

Here are some examples of when advance care planning might be used:

1. Terminal Illness Diagnosis: For example, a person who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness like terminal cancer or Motor Neurone Disease (MND) might choose to engage in ACP. They may express a preference not to have certain treatments like chemotherapy if it is not going to cure their disease, but only extend life for a short time with significant side effects.
2. Chronic Illness: A person diagnosed with a chronic illness such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart failure could use ACP to document preferences about treatment, hospitalisation and resuscitation. For example, they might express a preference for being cared for in a hospice setting rather than being admitted to hospital during the advanced stages of their illness.
3. Ageing and Frailty: Elderly people, especially those who are becoming increasingly frail or those with progressive conditions associated with ageing such as Alzheimer’s disease, could use ACP. They may express preferences for their care as their health deteriorates, including where they would like to be cared for (e.g. in a care home, at home, or in a hospice) and what kinds of treatments they would like or not like to receive (e.g. artificial nutrition or hydration, use of hospital intensive care).
4. Complex Mental Health Needs: A person with severe mental health issues, such as personality disorder or bipolar disorder, could use advance care planning. They may document what treatments they would prefer if they become unwell, and how they would like to be treated in a crisis situation.

Overall, advance care planning allows individuals to assert their autonomy and take an active role in decisions about their future care, ensuring that healthcare professionals and loved ones understand and respect their wishes when the time comes.

Following on from the discussion on examples of when advance care planning might be used, the subsequent questions that may naturally arise would likely be:

1. “What exactly included in an Advance Care Plan (ACP)?”
2. “How can an individual prepare an ACP?”
3. “What to do once the ACP is prepared?”
4. “How can myADRT be beneficial in this process?”
5. What is included in an Advance Care Plan (ACP)?
   An ACP is a document that details a person’s wishes and preferences regarding their future health and social care. It can include various aspects, such as:

• Patient’s preferences for care and treatment: This is often the crux of an ACP. This indicates what kind of treatment and care a patient would or wouldn’t want under different circumstances.
• Personal values: This highlights what is important to the patient and how they like to live their life, which can help guide the type of care and treatment provided.
• Medical intervention preferences: This details specific treatments or interventions the patient would refuse if they were unable to make decisions for themselves in the future. This can be completed through an ADRT (Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment).

1. How can an individual prepare an ACP?
   Typically, preparing an ACP involves several steps.

• Open dialogue: The individual communicates their wishes and concerns with their loved ones and healthcare professionals.
• Documentation: All information is documented. This is where a formal ACP can be created detailing the individual’s wishes and preferences.
• Reviewing and Updating: It’s essential for the ACP to be reviewed regularly and updated as needed as one’s health, circumstances, or preferences change over time.

1. What to do once the ACP is prepared?
   Once an ACP is prepared, it should be shared with relevant individuals such as a GP, hospital team, family members, and carer, ensuring everyone is aware and respects their wishes. It should also be stored safely where it can be accessed quickly during emergencies.
2. How can myADRT be beneficial in this process?
   myADRT offers a platform where UK residents can quickly and easily fill in an ADRT form, register it and download it all at once for safekeeping and sharing. By providing a structured and user-friendly way to gather and document preferences regarding medical treatment, myADRT simplifies the process of creating and implementing an Advance Care Plan. Furthermore, it assists users in managing their documents efficiently and securely, allowing for quick access and retrieval of their ACP when needed.

If you are considering creating an ADRT or updating an existing one, we encourage you to register your ADRT form with myADRT by visiting https://myadrt.com/register/  By registering with myADRT, you can ensure that your document is created, stored, and shared more efficiently with healthcare professionals and trusted individuals involved in your care.

Additionally, please consider sharing the myADRT service with your friends, family, or loved ones who may also benefit from having an ADRT in place. By spreading the word about this valuable service, you can help others take control of their future medical care and ensure their wishes are respected even when they are unable to communicate them personally. Registering an ADRT with myADRT is a proactive step towards peace of mind for both you and the people who care about you.