Advance directives for patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

The older population is experiencing worldwide growth, and together with population aging the incidence of dementia is also increasing. This article examines the contributing factors to the loss of autonomy of older people affected by Alzheimer’s disease in its most advanced stage based on the importance of instruments for expression of will, especially the advance directive for dementia. In order for older people with Alzheimer’s disease to clarify their wishes, they need to prepare their directives preferably in the early stages of the disease, that is, when they still have the capacity to make autonomous decisions, expressing their values and preferences. However, further discussions on this issue are necessary for these instruments to be better used in the Brazilian context, and thus ensure the patients’ self-determination.