Culturally Acceptable Advance Care Planning and Advance Directives for Persons Experiencing Homelessness

• Published in: Journal of hospice and palliative nursing Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 350 - 357
• Main Authors: Stone, Whitney, Mixer, Sandra J, Mendola, Annette
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-10-2019
• Subjects: Nursing
• ISSN: 1522-2179; 1539-0705
• DOI: 10.1097/NJH.0000000000000530

Although the process of dying is a universal human experience, it often magnifies individuals' unique cultural differences. Persons experiencing homelessness (PEHs) have unique barriers, challenges, and wishes for end-of-life care. There is insufficient evidence about how to provide culturally congruent advance care planning (ACP) through advance directive (AD) completion for PEHs. This study addressed this knowledge gap, and its findings serve as the basis for developing additional strategies to promote a satisfying ACP experience for this population when they complete an AD. The purpose of this study was to discover if an AD form recreated for PEHs would positively affect their completion of the AD as well as their overall experience with ACP. Guided by the culture care theory and qualitative ethnonursing methodology, 38 individuals (30 PEHs and 8 student nurses) were interviewed. Data were analyzed using the 4 phases of ethnonursing analysis. The 3 themes abstracted were (1) "it needs to be done," (2) the presence or absence of trusted family support, and (3) ACP for PEHs is facilitated by an AD workshop. Nursing interventions based on study findings can be used to help promote a dignified, meaningful ACP experience for vulnerable populations.