Exploring Advance Care Planning Discourses in Scottish Dementia Policies: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Advance Care Planning (ACP) is an ongoing process that facilitates individuals to discuss and document their preferences for their future care in the event of terminal illness or incapacitation. In Scotland, the creation of ACP is encouraged, and integrated in current dementia policies as a means of safeguarding the human rights of people living with dementia (PwD). However, the uptake of ACP amongst PwD remains low. This may stem from PwD’s fluctuating mental capacity and symptom of forgetfulness. Moreover, the ACP process which is usually aimed at healthcare professionals (HCPs) may not be suitable for PwD due to the lack of appropriate support they might need. This study employed Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis to explore how the discourses in Scottish dementia policies influence the initiation and revision of ACP for PwD. It examined the way in which the voices of PwD, family carers and HCPs shaped dementia policies regarding the initiation and revision of ACP. Three discourses were identified: Shifting Agencies; Formulaic Rightness; and Visibility and Voices. The analysis revealed that dementia policies inadequately supported the initiation and revision of ACPs for PwD. This is attributed to the responsibility for initiating ACPs being variously ascribed to different stakeholders, creating ambiguity regarding process ownership. The ACP process is presented in policy as formulaic, ignoring the nuances around PwD’s circumstances. The input and participation of PwD, family carers and HCPs to policy relating to ACPs was less visible thus making the legitimacy of those policies questionable. In light of these findings, the person (s) who should support the ACP process with and for PwD should be made explicit. The notion of ACP revision which aims to reflect PwD’s changing needs warrants greater emphasis within these dementia policies.