When someone develops dementia, the changes to memory, judgment, and decision-making can make it harder — or eventually impossible — to communicate their wishes for care. That’s why early conversations about end-of-life priorities are so important. These talks ensure people get care that reflects their values and helps them avoid unwanted treatments, while bringing peace of mind to loved ones.
Essential Conversations, an initiative from Compassion & Choices in partnership with the American Society on Aging, equips professionals with the tools they need to have these discussions.
Whether care managers, dementia specialists, lawyers, or healthcare providers, professionals can use our Dementia Values & Priorities Tool to walk people through their care options. The tool generates a dementia directive that can be added to a standard advance directive. A dementia directive spells out one’s wishes in various scenarios and at different stages of dementia, so that loved ones and medical teams know what care to provide.
The impact of the Essential Conversations initiative is already clear. In 2024, we partnered with five organizations across the country — from New York to Mississippi and Montana — that reached nearly 2,000 people through community presentations, workshops, and hundreds of individualized consultations.
This year so far, over 200 professionals have been trained on the Essential Conversations approach to including dementia in advance care planning conversations. Our new guide exists to equip more professionals to have these discussions with the people they serve.
Essential Conversations emphasizes creating a safe, comfortable space, listening without rushing, and using plain, clear language. We also encourage people to revisit their documents regularly, as desires and priorities can change over time.
The goal is simple but powerful: to make dementia-specific advance care planning a normal, expected part of life — so that every person, regardless of diagnosis, can receive care that truly reflects their wishes.
You can find free resources and more information, including the Dementia Values & Priorities Tool, at CompassionAndChoices.org/Essential-Conversations.
Mail contributions directly to:
Compassion & Choices Gift Processing Center
PO Box 485
Etna, NH 03750
Compassion & Choices is a 501 C3 organization. Federal tax number: 84-1328829
