3 Advance care planning

Section 2 highlighted the difficulty of predicting end of life in Parkinson’s. This section develops this, exploring the challenges of predicting end of life in Parkinson’s and how to manage these challenges. In particular it examines advance care planning and the issues around lasting power of attorney and Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT).

Learning outcomes

By the end of this section you should:

  • be able to identify the challenges in predicting and managing the end of life phase in Parkinson’s
  • gain an in-depth understanding of advance care planning (ACP) and the importance of its introduction at the appropriate time in the progression of the condition
  • gain an understanding of the importance of recognising the needs of people with Parkinson’s and those closest to them in directing ACP
  • have an understanding of lasting power of attorney and Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment.

2.7 Summary of section 2

3.1 Challenges of predicting end of life care in Parkinson’s