by
Leigh Ann Kingsbury, MPA, Gerontologist
Published in the Journal of Religion, Disability and Health: May, 2005
Person centered planning is a common practice in most developmental disability systems. As people with disabilities are living to old age and being supported in the community as they age and die, there is an ever increasing need for advance care planning for people who have developmental and intellectual disabilities. ; that is, the organizing of advance directives. Since many people already have a person centered plan, the author suggests that use of a good planning process might be a logical next step for helping people communicate their end of life wishes. The author is clear that this is not about active or passive euthanasia, but is about helping people clearly communicate their wishes in the context of increasing age, significant infirmity or terminal illness.