Using "What I want for the Future"
Here, Juliette Gold, manager of a nursing home using SHARP Records & Plan's "What I want for the future" template (available in our Premium Pack - see below), talks about her experience in introducing it.
"When the documentation first arrived we found it a very awkward subject to address and it wasn't until several of our long term residents became suddenly unwell that it highlighted that we were totally unaware of their wishes. This I now realise was down to the staff not the paperwork itself. Failure to complete and address the situation lead to a very traumatic time for staff both RN's and care staff when attempts to preserve life were carried out waiting for the 999 call to be answered as we didn't know their wishes.
After this period I kick-started using the document with a new admission and her daughter. I hopefully showed an understanding that discussions like this were hard but needed to be done. They happily agreed and returned the completed form swiftly. I feel it brought the mother and daughter closer as well. As the resident quickly deteriorated over the next few months everyone including nursing staff, other family members and importantly GPs knew the selected journey end this lady wanted. Clearly documented and it is very rewarding.
To stand tall and know you have acted on their behalf ensuring all wishes carried out and supported them right to end. It makes our input in their last stages of life's journey complete with a great sense of relief that you did the right thing. Dying in an ambulance on the side of the A303 whilst being blue lighted into A&E isn't the way any of us would wish.
The SHARP "What I want for the future" document has prompted talks with my own family members and I feel that if you can’t talk about your own wishes, dying etc how can you expect to discuss it with others. I feel you need to get to that stage and feel comfortable before this document will be promoted and used properly/effectively by staff.
Juliette Gold
April 2010
This site aims to increase awareness of Advance Care Planning along with tools, techniques and articles about it. You can get access to and download a FREE learning Pack. You can also buy an easy to use DVD/CD pack, saving you time from downloading as well as learning more.
It's been commissioned by The Department of Health and Social Care Institute of Excellence and is sponsored by SHARP Records & Plans
Want a trainer to deliver all of this course for you in a location of your choosing?
Contact Cathy Butterworth, author of this site, for a quotation.
"Ascertaining Wishes" is a book written to give care staff, care professionals & relatives a good practice guide to implement advance care planning in care homes for older people.
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