Table 2. Tips for Advance Care Planning.

Start early	Ideally before patient loses decision making capacity
Establish directives	Preferably in writing. Appoint a health care proxy. Establish preferred goals of care.
Have conversations about disease trajectory	Continue conversations between health care proxies and providers regarding what to expect as dementia progresses. Learn about dementia as a terminal illness (i.e.: expect loss of basic bodily functions such as ability to swallow and fight infections).
Discuss treatment preferences. Consider the use of structured conversation guides	Preferably before complications arise. Discuss treatment choices regarding specific clinical problems (cardiopulmonary resuscitation, artificial nutrition, mechanical ventilation). Have conversations with health care providers regarding advantages and disadvantages of options based on evidence-based medicine. Align treatment options with established goals of care.
Review directives and treatment options periodically	Review periodically or whenever there is a change in health status. Update document(s) with any revisions to goals of care or treatment preferences.