The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (ADMA) 13 establishes a legal framework in Ireland for supporting individuals who may need assistance in making decisions about their personal welfare, property, and affairs. The ADMA also enshrines people’s right to make a legal Advance Healthcare Directive (AHD). While advance care planning considers all end-of-life care needs an AHD is a legally binding document that allows a person to record their wishes about healthcare and medical treatment decisions in case they are unable to make these decisions at some time in the future. Importantly an AHD should be registered in a place that can be easily accessed by all those involved in making decisions about a person’s care. Currently, you do not have to notify the Decision Support Service 14 (DSS) that an AHD has been made. There is no centralised repository for healthcare professionals to reference or determine if an AHD has been made.
SUMMARY EVERY OLDER PERSON HAS A RIGHT TO BE KEPT FULLY INFORMED WHEN APPROACHING END OF LIFE AND GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE INVOLVED, AS MUCH AS THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE, IN HEALTHCARE DECISIONS AFFECTING THEM.
13 Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 14 Decision Support Service website
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Experiences of Older People at End of Life 2025
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