priya
Priya is an 84-year-old woman with advanced dementia. She lives in long-term care.
Her husband died many years ago and she has three daughters. They would be her automatic SDMs and share this role.
A few years Priya was unable to safely live at home. After she was found incapable, her daughters consented to her admission to a long-term care facility. She is now incapable of making most of her healthcare decisions.
At this point Priya is unable to understand how her dementia affects her life.
Priya's three daughters all have a slightly different understanding of dementia.
They all understand that it has affected her memory.
Through ACP conversations they learned that dementia can also affect her ability to swallow and walk.
Although Priya may not have capacity to make her own healthcare decisions, she may still be able to express thoughts about what is important to her. Her daughters should also reflect on her values, beliefs and what Priya would consider to be a good quality of life.