Preferred Place of Death Discussions: Are They Informing and Empowering Patients and their Family Caregivers?

Abstract

Factors influencing preferred place of death (PPoD) are variable between individuals. However, there is little understanding of how these preferences are formed and how consistent they are in the final months of life. In particular, the expectation and responsibility of family caregivers to provide unpaid caregiving support to their dying loved one in the home is often overlooked. There is a need for clinicians to take an individualised approach to PPoD conversations that is inclusive of the needs of both the patient and the family caregiver. More Good Deaths – A Change Programme responds to this gap in care by advancing the skills of clinicians having PPoD conversations with patients and their family caregivers. This paper describes the programme, providing insight into its benefits to advanced care planning and communication, as well as to our newest service - Cottage Hospice.