Using Narratives to Offer Hindsight, Insight, and Foresight Into Advance Care Planning

Inviting and listening to the stories of people in the later stages of their lives offers them dignity and the opportunity to evaluate their goals for their final chapter of life. Narrative medicine provides important space for caregivers to be present in a person’s life story, and in so doing, offer dignity to the storyteller while learning about the person’s values and priorities. These important pieces of a person’s life emanate from the historical, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic settings that provide context and background for each individual.