Family Caregiver Support with Advance Care Planning

Advance care planning (ACP) is a method by which patients can communicate their wishes for end-of-life (EOL) care—removing the decision-making burden from others. However, facing mortality is a difficult thing and many patients put off or avoid planning. Life and death are unpredictable. Health situations consistently arise that may cause a patient to be unable to participate in decision-making. In these circumstances, the burden falls to the family caregiver (FC). Making EOL decisions for a loved one is an emotionally stressful process. Listening to the FC and allowing them to express their feelings and thoughts is the best support we can provide for them.