Abstract

The originality of this research resides in investigation of a specific demographic group who are younger, healthier and not the target of advance care planning programs. Significance and timeliness of this research coincides with the release of a National Advance Care Directive Framework in Australia to assist with facilitation of completion and implementation of these instruments on a national and state level. Factors that influenced participants in this research to contemplate completion of (ACDs) were investigated in the context of South Australian ACDs and the SA healthcare environment. Research was conducted using classical grounded theory. Participants contemplated ACDs in three non-linear stages. These stages were: contemplation of knowledge; contemplation of relationships; and contemplation of actions/inactions of ACD decision-making that should result. Factors influencing these stages unique to these Boomer participants were their awareness of quality of life with dementia; guidance and protection of children acting as substitute decision-makers (SDM); and the difficulty in choosing a SDM. Many of these factors were gained through experiences with others. Of the seven participants in this study, only half had completed ACDs for themselves. Factors which inhibited completion included time, accessibility and lack of a professional for discussion of ACDs.