Advance Care Planning in Action: Supporting Staff, Supporting Residents
The development of Advance Care Planning (ACP) education sessions represents a natural and important progression within the Caru programme’s commitment to enhancing quality of care in nursing homes.
From the beginning, ACP has been promoted as a core component of the Caru Quality Improvement Workshops, reflecting its central role in supporting person-centred care and meaningful engagement with residents about their future preferences.
While delivering the Caru workshops, it became evident that many participants felt they would benefit from additional guidance to build more confidence on how to start conversations and continue conversations and a clearer understanding of their role. This feedback helped shape the development of dedicated ACP education sessions.
The development of these sessions aligns closely with the ethos of the Caru programme. It also reflects the principles outlined in the Palliative Care Competence Framework, supporting nursing home staff to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to deliver high-quality ACP in everyday practice.
In 2026, a national rollout of one-hour ACP education sessions took place. These collaborative sessions were facilitated by Caru Regional Leads, and Project ECHO facilitators (All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care). Project ECHO is a powerful way of sharing knowledge. Working alongside Caru programme, it helps nursing home staff build confidence in ACP through real, practical learning.
This coordinated rollout with our Caru Programme Partners, AIIHPC, has ensured a consistent and structured approach to ACP education nationwide. By equipping nursing home staff with the tools and understanding needed to engage in ACP, the education sessions support nursing homes to create environments where residents feel heard, respected, and involved in decisions about their future care.
- Shared expertise: Everyone contributes – no “top-down” teaching, just guided discussion
- Safe space: Staff can ask questions, reflect, and learn without judgement
- Link to Caru values: Focus on person-centred care, listening, and meaningful conversations
- Regular sessions: Learning happens over time, helping staff build skills step by step
- Practical focus: What you learn can be used straight away in everyday care
We would like to sincerely thank Milford Hospice for generously sharing their case study.
- It brings learning to life
- It shows what good ACP looks like in practice
- It supports staff to apply knowledge in real situations
- It strengthens confidence and understanding across teams
The sessions focused on simple, practical messages:
- Start conversations about ACP with residents. These can be planned or happen naturally during daily care.
- Record residents’ wishes clearly, so all staff can follow them.
- Understand your role in ACP, across all roles.
- Work together as a team to support residents’ choices.
Participants said the sessions were helpful, easy to understand, and relevant to their daily work. Many felt more confident and better prepared to support residents.
What’s the future of ACP:
- Advance Care Planning becomes part of everyday, person-centred care
- Skilled conversations ensure residents’ wishes are heard, documented, and respected
- Education and support give staff confidence to engage meaningfully in ACP
- Clear communication with families builds trust and reduces uncertainty
- Ongoing learning keeps ACP active and embedded in practice
- Good education and accessible information lead to better outcomes
Contact your Regional Lead for support or further ACP training.