With people being given more choice about where to die, it is important that healthcare professionals strive to assist a good death in all care settings. Death is a personal, spiritual and social event, which is unique to the individual. Nurses are in an ideal position to support the person who is dying and those who are important and close to them. There are many aspects to be considered in assisting a good death, including symptom management, compassionate communication and an understanding of what is important to the individual.

Admission to a care home is a major event for many individuals and, for some, a time when they may lose their independence. It is at this juncture that they should be given the opportunity to participate in planning their future care. An advance care plan (ACP) is a means for people with capacity to document their preferences for their care and to enable providers to advocate on their behalf. Some people will have lost mental capacity before admission to a care facility, so it is essential for staff to be familiar with the complexities of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to support residents approaching the end of life.

This article outlines the processes of ACP and identifies resources available to support the introduction of ACP into care homes.