Advance Care Planning Australia is urging aged care providers to include advance care planning in their preparations for COVID-19.
ACPA understands that this is a stressful time for aged care providers and the general community. Health care planning including documentation of preferences is important.
Aged care providers have obligations under the Aged Care Quality Standards. Standard 2. Requirement (2)(b) specifies that assessment and planning identifies and addresses the consumer’s current needs, goals and preferences, including advance care planning and end of life planning if the consumer wishes.
ACPA recommends aged care providers ensure that:
- Aged care recipients are encouraged to think about their future health care preferences. Discuss preferences with loved ones, and if desired, document their preferences in an advance care directive.
- All aged care recipients have a clearly identified substitute decision-maker.
- Existing advance care directive documents are available and transferable between care providers.
These preparations will support health and aged care providers in being able to offer appropriate, quality care to consumers.
For free, personalised advance care planning advice for aged care providers and the general public please call our National Advance Care Planning Support Service on 1300 208 582, Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm (AEST).