Future Care Planning Extends Beyond Advance Directives

Surprising finding: Future care planning goes beyond traditional advance directives by including patients who can no longer make their own decisions.

Future care planning (FCP) is an emerging approach in end-of-life care that expands on advance care planning. While advance directives capture wishes when someone is still capable of decision-making, FCP also addresses care for individuals with diminished capacity through a best-interests framework. This broader approach has been adopted in national strategies across the UK, including in Wales and Scotland. A scoping review found that FCP is being increasingly applied in palliative care settings worldwide, though researchers note that establishing a clear, consistent definition would better support healthcare professionals working in frailty and palliative care. The concept helps ensure that more patients receive care aligned with their values, even when they can no longer advocate for themselves.

Source: PMID 40645749 (BMJ supportive & palliative care, 2025)