Respect is a major part of our lives. The respect we have for others, they have for us and most importantly the respect we have for ourselves.
However, I learned of a new type of respect when my Mum, who had Lewy Body Dementia, went into hospital for an operation. We were shown a ReSPECT form, which stands for Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment. It was quite a shock at the time, being asked for her wishes if the operation didn’t go to plan and whether she would want them to attempt resuscitation. However, I have since come to know it to be an empowering form that enables a person, who is at risk of sudden deterioration, to state their wishes for their clinical care in emergency situations where they are unable to speak for themselves.
In a recent conversation with Sarah McDonald, a Secondary Breast Cancer Nurse Specialist, her very poignant comment relating to planning for end of life was “We only have one chance to get dying right and if we don’t plan for it, often it will go wrong.” She was talking specifically about when someone is in their final stages of life, stating “the ReSPECT form is an essential document that can be given to medical professionals, who may not have access to the person’s medical history or prognosis, to give a clearly written escalation plan to ensure they know what to do without causing harm”.
A ReSPECT form is most often completed with the support of a medical professional and opens up important conversations around end of life care, from the realities of attempting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), to prioritising comfort or sustaining life. It allows for really careful planning to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible. Being a ‘recommended summary plan’, it is not a contract or an agreement, therefore it can be changed as circumstances change and it can also be withheld by the patient. Visit your GP, or speak to a health professional to document your wishes on a ReSPECT form.
It is never too early to think ahead. The services provided by Planning Ahead of Time give you the platform to make informed choices for peace of mind that your needs, and those of your family, will be known and respected when you reach the end of life.
Dayle Adams
