Advance Decisions and Control at the end of life.

Many people will find themselves in a similar position to Sir Cliff Richard – having witnessed the decline of a loved one with a degenerative disease resulting in a loss of capacity, and wanting to ensure they don’t suffer in the same way.

Anyone who knows what treatment they would want to refuse at the end of life, such as artificial hydration and nutrition, or artificial ventilation, can make an advance decision to refuse that treatment, even if they lose capacity through a disease such as Alzheimer’s, or through an accident or illness which leaves them unable to communicate.

Too few people realise that we have this power to control what happens to us at the end of life under the current law, and it is up to us all individually to take control and be clear about what we do and don’t want.

Advance Decision forms are available free of charge from Compassion in Dying.