End-of-Life Treatment Preferences Among Older Adults

2001 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 533-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun-Shim Nahm ◽  
Barbara Resnick
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Retirement Community ◽  
Treatment Preferences ◽  
Continuing Care ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Aggressive Interventions ◽  
To Receive ◽  
End Of Life Treatment

With the advancement of medical technology, various life-sustaining treatments are available at the end of life. Older adults should be encouraged to establish their end-of-life treatment preferences (ELTP) while they are physically and mentally able to do so. The purpose of this study was to explore ELTP among older adults and to compare those preferences in a subset of individuals who had reported their ELTP in a survey completed the previous year. This was a descriptive study of 191 older adults living in a continuing care retirement community. Approximately half of the participants did not want cardiopulmonary resuscitation, to be put on a respirator, or to receive dialysis. The findings in this study suggest that many older adults do not want aggressive interventions at the end of life, but choose rather those measures that will keep them comfortable. Moreover, treatment choices may change over time. Health care providers should initiate discussions about ELTP at regular intervals (yearly) to assist older adults in dictating their end-of-life care.

scholarly journals Preparing for the New Normal: Chronicling the Impact of COVID-19 on Older Adults and Providers

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 585-585
Author(s):  
Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili ◽  
Justine Sefcik
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Retirement Community ◽  
Continuing Care ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
New Normal ◽  
Continuing Care Retirement Community ◽  
The Impact

Abstract COVID-19 and social distancing heralded an unprecedented change in the way older adults and health care providers live, work, socialize and manage their health. Early “calls-to-action” included the call for researchers to chronicle the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on care of older adults to inform models of care and best practices in the new normal. This symposium explores the impact of COVID-19 on the health of older adults across the care continuum and healthcare delivery augmented by technology. The perspectives of older adults living in the community and providers who care for this population are highlighted. Additionally, there is a focus on the most vulnerable, those living in skilled care facilities and continuing care retirement communities. Fisher analyzes the key themes in 37 COVID-19 video communiques over 11 months at a continuing care retirement community. Sefcik explores coping strategies including outdoor activities among community-dwelling older adults. DiMaria-Ghalili examined patterns of physical and mental health, technology usage and loneliness in older adults, including those living in the community and a continuing care retirement community. Using longitudinal data and COVID-19 supplemental survey data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, Huh-Yoo discusses disparities in online patient-provider communication and implications for the Post-COVID era. Coates discusses the facilitators and barriers perceived by interdisciplinary providers deploying telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic and implications for healthcare delivery in older adults. The symposium will conclude with a discussion by Dr. Sefcik on the implications for research, practice and policy in the post COVID-19 era.

Dignity and palliative end-of-life care

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey Max Chochinov ◽  
Susan E. McClement ◽  
Maia S. Kredentser
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
To Receive

The concept of dignity continues to receive attention in health care, with particular implications for end-of-life care. This chapter reviews current conceptualizations of dignity, integrating medical, philosophical, and ontological perspectives. The centrality of dignity to palliative care is discussed, exploring empirical findings, which examine what dignity means to patients and families in the context of illness and end-of-life care. The chapter provides an overview of validated tools, evidence-based therapies, and practical ‘everyday’ communication skills that health-care providers in diverse clinical settings can use to enhance patient dignity. Suggestions are provided for extending existing research into the notion of dignity as it relates to vulnerable groups, and how interventions aimed at supporting patient dignity can impact family members. Dignity subsumes many key aspects of comprehensive care, which can guide health-care providers towards improving end-of-life experiences for patients and families.

Factors Influencing Advance Care Planning Among Older Adults in Two Socioeconomically Diverse Living Communities

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Tripken ◽  
Cathy Elrod ◽  
Susan Bills
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Retirement Community ◽  
Continuing Care ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Advance Care

Background/Objectives: Advance care planning (ACP) is an iterative, complex, and dynamic process of discussion, decision-making, and documentation about end-of-life care. The extent to which this process takes place in older adults in diverse socioeconomic settings is not well documented. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about ACP among older adults in two socioeconomically diverse settings to identify the individual and contextual factors that influence behaviors regarding end-of-life care. Design: A cross-sectional survey design was used. Setting: An affordable independent continuing care retirement community and a high-income eligible (HIE) independent continuing care retirement community. Participants: Individuals aged 55 years and older who resided in independent living. Measurements: A 61-item survey was administered. Simple descriptive statistics were used to examine the responses, and inferential statistics were used to evaluate which items were associated with key outcomes between the 2 settings. Results: Seventy-seven older adults completed the survey. Significant differences in familiarity of terminology and knowledge of ACP, as well as significant differences in completion of advance directives and communication, were found between the 2 communities. No differences were found in attitudes and beliefs about end-of-life issues. Conclusion: Higher levels of knowledge and engagement in ACP were reported at the HIE community as compared to the affordable housing community. These findings provide insight into the influence of the contextual forces that encourage and support ACP.

scholarly journals Advance Care Planning in Healthy Older Adults

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Van Leuven
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Advance Directives ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Advanced Care Planning ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Medical Diagnoses

This article reports the secondary analysis of a qualitative study that examined the beliefs, values, lifestyles and health status of adults at least 75 years old (N=18). An unanticipated finding was that all participants who self-identified as healthy (N=14) had in place advance directives which dictated their end-of-life wishes. In contrast, participants who self-identified as fair or poor health (N=4) did not have advance directives (N=4). These "healthy" older adults also differed substantially from their counterparts in the degree in which they were socially engaged in their community and family, but varied little related to their actual medical diagnoses or health problems. The self-described healthy group approached advanced care planning as part of health promotion; they simultaneously planned for end-of-life while engaging in activities to maintain optimum health. In contrast, those who evaluated their health as fair or poor perceived advanced care planning as something to be avoided. Planning for end-of-life may be a form of ongoing engagement as it requires dialogue with health care providers, and thoughtful consideration of experiences and wishes. It may also be a manifestation of successful aging in that death is recognized as the culmination of a good life rather than something to be feared.

scholarly journals ENGAGING AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES IN END OF LIFE DISCUSSIONS: CHALLENGES AND FACILITATORS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S950-S950
Author(s):  
Pamela Z Cacchione ◽  
Le'Roi L Gill ◽  
Justine Sefcik
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
African American ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
African American Families ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
American Families

Abstract Our previous study, African American Preferences Around End of Life, identified that AA Elders wanted to talk to their family about their preferences, but their family tended to avoid discussing end of life topics. We found that African American families often have a difficult time broaching the subject of end of life for a variety of emotional, cultural and religious reasons. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was: To better understand the challenges and facilitators that influenced end of life conversations within the African American family. Methods: In this qualitative descriptive study, we interviewed 15 AA family caregivers of older adults. Participants were family members of older adults enrolled in an urban Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. Individual interviews lasted on average 50 minutes. Data analysis was completed using conventional content analysis. Results: The majority of participants were between 55 - 65 years of age and adult children of the AA older adult. Two themes emerged for challenges: I’m not comfortable and We just don’t talk about it. For facilitators again, two themes emerged: Another person took the initiative (e.g. health care provider led the conversation) and participants’ previous experience with death led them to initiate EOL conversations. In addition, three participants reported that after participating in the interview they planned to talk to their loved one to find out their end of life preferences. The results of this study provide insight into how health care providers can facilitate these important end of life preferences conversations.

scholarly journals Do Older Adults Know Their Spouses' End-of-Life Treatment Preferences?

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 463-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara M. Moorman ◽  
Robert M. Hauser ◽  
Deborah Carr
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Treatment Preferences ◽  
End Of Life Treatment
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