Sep 28, 2015:

Active Retirement Members Honoured by Irish Hospice Foundation

Think Ahead
Ben Mc Poland (Western Region) and John McNamara  (N West region) were honoured at a recent End of Life Forum for their outstanding support of Think Ahead project during the past year.  Ben who attended on the day was awarded a framed certificate by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, Chairperson of the National Council (End of Life Forum).

John’s award was accepted by Susan Shaw on his behalf.  “I am so pleased to collect this on John’s behalf; we are so delighted for both of our members who have been to the forefront in supporting this incredible initiative and creating opportunities to inform our members of the Think Ahead project. Active Retirement Ireland has long been a supporter of the Think Ahead project and we are delighted to continue to do so.”



Think Ahead is a citizen-led advance planning tool which has been developed by the National Council of the Forum on End of Life in Ireland – an initiative of the Irish Hospice Foundation. It guides people in looking at and recording all aspects of end of life: legal, economic, healthcare preferences and wishes for organ donation and funeral arrangements.  



Using an Innovative End of Life Planning Tool’ (Think Ahead) a recent study by Dr Brendan O’Shea (Lecturer in General Practice at Trinity College) and his Colleagues on the TCD HSE GP Training Scheme found a strongly positive response by patients to a request to consider and record their detailed preferences regarding their own end-of-life care. Dr O’Shea commented: “Our study has found that the GP surgery is a good location to introduce end-of-life conversations, and a planning tool such as Think Ahead is invaluable. Our study found high levels of acceptability and positive online casino experience for most patients. Most had no difficult in completing the form, were not upset by it and felt it should be more widely available. The form itself was effective in encouraging discussions on end-of-life issues with family.” Key results included:

63% reported “no difficulty” completing the form

• 76% completed all or part of the form
• 74% indicated they did not find completing the form to cause upset
• 87% felt that the Think Ahead document should be made more widely available
• 68% indicated they felt “Think Ahead” would be of general interest
• 83% had discussions on end-of-life planning with family members after reading

If you require any further information or would like someone to talk to your ARA on Think Ahead , please contact Central Support Office who will put you in touch with your Regional Development Officer.

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