Researchers from the University of Sydney and UNSW have developed Australia’s first evidence-informed educational resources to support Advance Care Planning (ACP) for older people living with mental illness.
The initiative addresses a critical gap in end-of-life care, where ACP discussions are often overlooked despite their importance in promoting autonomy and dignity.
Drawing upon two foundational qualitative studies1,2 involving interviews with older adult mental health consumers, their carers, and mental health clinicians, the team identified four key themes: ACP recognised as important but often not initiated; lack of knowledge; skill gaps; and practical and process issues. To address these identified issues, they created plain-language information sheets tailored to the specific needs of consumers, carers, and clinicians, alongside two short training films demonstrating how to introduce and discuss ACP in mental health settings. The resources, available in English and three community languages (Simplified Chinese, Arabic, and Greek), aim to dispel misconceptions, educate and empower, build confidence, and provide practical strategies to navigate sensitive conversations about ACP.
Lead researcher Associate Professor Anne Wand emphasized that ACP is a human right and crucial for quality end-of-life care: “These resources are an important first step towards empowering older adults with mental illness and those who support them.”
The materials are freely accessible via Capacity Australia and will form part of a broader educational intervention to embed ACP into routine practice in public mental health services. The research was supported by the Moyira Elizabeth Vine Fund for Research into Schizophrenia Program.
Citations
1. Wand A, Karageorge A, Zeng Y, et al. The perspectives on advance care planning of older people with psychotic illnesses and their carers. Eur Geriatr Med 2025; 16: 793-805. 2025/03/14. DOI: 10.1007/s41999-025-01161-8
2. Wand APF, Karageorge A, Zeng Y, et al. Why Mental Health Clinicians are Not Engaging in Advance Care Planning with Older People with Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Illnesses. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2024; 17: 4195-4206. 2024/12/16. DOI: 10.2147/PRBM.S496651.