Abstract
Background
End-of-life decision-making for individuals living with a dementia needs to be addressed because as dementia progresses, individuals need support to make decisions about their health care, living arrangements and end-of-life care changes. Advance care directives (ACDs) provide an opportunity for individuals living with a dementia to communicate their wishes about these important issues.
Aim
The aim of this study was to understand how Australian registered nurses (RNs) use ACDs for individuals with a dementia living in residential accommodation.
Methods
Two hundred and thirty eight RNs working in Australian residential accommodation were recruited via social media, professional organisations and organisations providing residential accomodation. Respondents completed an online survey delivered via Survey Monkey.
Findings
59.7% of respondents reported commencing discussions around ACDs within the first month of individuals living with a dementia relocating to residential accommodation. However, 42.4% never or rarely completed ACDs. Only 59.3% stated that ACDs for individuals living with a dementia were always or often regularly reviewed. 53.8% identified that ACDs were always adhered to when an individuals’ circumstances changed. 62.6% felt that understanding among families about ACDs was sometimes, or often, a barrier to using ACDs.
Conclusion
The implementation of ACDs in Australian residential accommodation for those living with a dementia remains sub-optimal. This study has demonstrated that ACD documentation and policies describing how they should be used exist, but gaps remain around the practical implementation of ACDs. Strategies to promote communication and collaboration between residential facilities, general practitioners and carers / families could also assist in providing cohesive, high-quality care.