Older adults, especially those who have chronic health conditions are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
However, their preferences when talking about healthcare may vary. For instance, one may prefer treatment that would involve a series of intensive care and rehabilitation while others may choose to take on highly invasive medical procedures.
This is why it is very important to understand their wishes for healthcare in general.
Research provides that 1 in every 4 older Australians have advance care planning.
Advance care planning is about determining your preferences for future care, in case you won’t be able to communicate it. It involves the participation of other people such as family members, health professionals, and even spiritual advisers.
A competent adult can decide on what they wanted to receive for future healthcare or pass on the decision making to another individual on their behalf.
Primarily, advance care planning gives respect to the preferences of an individual even if they are too incapable of communicating it.
Importance of advance care planning during COVID-19
First, advance care planning prepares healthcare units for unexpected surges and helps in efficient medical rationing.
The COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria affected the aged-care sector and resurfaced discussions about the capacity of healthcare systems to deal with local outbreaks.
There is an ongoing debate about ethical decision-making on medical rationing. Provided the circumstances of overwhelmed healthcare systems, medical rationing became a relevant issue.
Advance medical planning preempts a situation wherein we can avoid medical rationing in the very first place. It prepares healthcare systems to adapt to the existing needs of those people who really need medical attention.
Moreover, it prepares the healthcare unit to appropriately manage the health resources that are needed. This reduces the strain on the public health response to outbreaks.
However, one should not fail to acknowledge that advance care planning isn’t about abandoning people. Instead, it is a means by which healthcare procedures can be distributed appropriately.
Routine care delivery is a complex approach to healthcare, especially during the pandemic. This requires preparation and efficient management.
Lastly, advance care planning enables the decision-making capability of an individual about the care they wanted to receive.
Boosting the uptake of advance care planning
The Australian health sector provides a clear outline that aged-care providers are in a disposition to stimulate advance care planning among residents.
However, the plan isn’t contained in aged-care settings as it should incorporate a holistic approach across different settings.
The participation of different people, from health professionals to aged-care workers, can be instrumental in expanding one’s understanding of the conditions and options for treatment.
Furthermore, the broader community should be encouraged by concerned individuals and groups towards the benefits of advance care planning.
The pandemic challenged attitudes and conventions that were accepted and recognised across the sector. These changes should be maximised to promote advance care planning.
Telehealth’s emergence as a new way of promoting remote discussion can be a means by which patients and healthcare professionals discuss advance care planning.
Initiating a discussion with family members and health professionals can be a good starting point, to begin with.
